Bella Trattoria Italian Bistro - Riverside (CA)

1 /5 Angela H: We just got home from this restaurant, and unfortunately, it was a major letdown. I honestly think the real chef must have been off for the 4th of July—because whoever cooked today clearly wasn’t a professional. We were shocked that a restaurant connected to the Mission Inn Hotel would serve food like this. The dishes were completely bland, like someone forgot to add salt—or any seasoning at all. My cream sauce was watery and flavorless, nothing like the “lemon flavor” the waitress mentioned. My son said his pasta was the worst Italian food he’s ever had—and that even our leftovers at home taste better! It was also uncomfortably hot inside, even though we were seated indoors with supposed air conditioning. Service started off friendly, but then the staff disappeared. We waited forever just to ask for basic things like salt, and no one checked on us during the meal. To be fair, our waitress was polite and smiled even after we gave feedback, which we appreciated. But overall, I wouldn’t recommend this restaurant unless they seriously improve both the food and the experience.

1 /5 Connor Tibbetts: If you’re considering making Bella Trattoria part of your evening plans, let me save you a night of disappointment: don’t! This is by far the worst “Italian” restaurant I’ve ever been to. To start, the tables are folding tables and the service staff lost our reservation. Next, we got seated and presented with a “menu” that only had 11 items on it TOTAL (other than pizza). We ordered two appetizers (focaccia and a Caesar salad). They did not have anchovies, their focaccia was just French bread with garlic powder on it, their salad dressing was premade, and the cheese was tasteless. We ordered two glasses of prosecco, which came warm and flat. My wife ordered a mocktail from the “full bar” and was given a mixture of orange juice, cranberry juice, and peach syrup. We asked for the check, and got handed an $80 bill. No one came to ask if we were ok or why we were suddenly leaving 15 minutes in to a dinner reservation on New Year’s Eve. The couple next to us got served their entrees, left them on the table, and asked for their check as well. They looked awful. The service wasn’t terrible, but the servers look dejected and probably are embarrassed to be serving slop. I’m not sure how this restaurant is still in business - I guess it’s purely due to being attached to the Mission Inn. Nonetheless, this is a disappointing, high-priced disaster that will ruin your evening. Avoid!

1 /5 James McConnell: We had three couples our best friends celebrating the 3 wife’s Birthdays all in December. We decided to try this restaurant. This was the worst Italian food I have ever had. When we made our reservations we did not know they were going to have a limited menu for the Christmas time. The had 3 items on the menu. Plus some Pizza. Did not match the menu on line. After paying $25 to park time 3. $75. 00 total. We were seated. We should have left but we decided to stay. Absolutely the worst Italio food I have ever had. Who ever the cook was. Can’t call them a Chef. Greasy crappie food better Italian food at a gas station. Never going back don’t waste your money

2 /5 Alex Fedosov: I was on a trip with my family from OC to Palm Springs. That was a perfect place to stop for a coffee break. We ordered some pizzas for kids and for ourselves and some drinks. Everything was OK, so a couple of days later, on the way back, we decided to stop there again, and that was the biggest mistake. Weve been ignored by the waitress for a while. I asked other employees to call her a few times. 11am. Monday. There was just one table and us. She was busy just with one table. She was serving them really slow and not paying attention to other people around. When another couple occupied another table, she took their order and not our after long waiting. Then I ordered a cup of coffee latte but she brought me a glass with almond milk. Then I asked for a cup of regular warm milk for kids, and she brought a glass with sweet almond milk. Then, 40 minutes later, we got our overbacked pizzas. The way it looks, you can see on the photos I attached. Its bad... Guys lucky to have this good location, but service...

3 /5 Mike Wickstrom: “MEH” about covers it. My wife booked us a 5:30 reservation to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. It appears outdoor was only available, didn’t appear busy and we asked to be seated to the left since the sewage smell didn’t seem as strong on that side. Hostess said she only had a small table for two. That side of patio was completely void of any customers and there was much roomier available table 3 feet from us. Not sure why we had to be at the mini table. First the beverages came and they brought my wife the wrong drink, my soda was flat. Then bread and appetizer came out. My wife’s meal came out first. She waited a while then started eating while it was still warm. She really paced herself otherwise I would have watched her eat her entire plate and then she would have had to watch me eat mine when it finally came out. They had to come out at least 10 minutes apart. The waitress and hostess were nice, the food was ok, but it just didn’t add it up to good dining experience.