There are plenty of Italian eateries in New York City. Nearly on every block, there’s a red sauce joint or a choose-your-own pasta place. Then there’s Bella Luna. For nearly four decades, this restaurant has remained one of Manhattan’s most constant and revered Italian spots offering diners delicious, traditional home-style meals using seasonal ingredients and providing an enchanting setting that is relaxed and welcoming.
Founded in 1988 by Turgut Balikci, a seasoned New York City restaurateur with a storied career in the hospitality industry, and co-owned by Guray Yuksel, who has led Bella Luna’s daily operations for over two decades, their mission is to provide customers timeless Italian classic dishes made with high-quality ingredients. They have succeeded and Bella Luna has become a cornerstone of the local dining scene in the heart of the city’s Upper West Side neighborhood.
Located at 574 Columbus Avenue, Bella Luna has a steady stream of regulars. But, to add a vibrant refresh, they have debuted an updated menu. Cesare De Chellis, the famed Executive Chef at the New Jersey Governor’s Residence, was recruited to create elevated dishes that incorporate modern tastes while retaining the spirit that has made Bella Luna a neighborhood favorite over the years. The menu highlights include homemade meatballs, linguine with clams, lamb chops, pizza with wild mushrooms, caramelized onions, and creamy fontina cheese, lasagna and much more.
The Knockturnal was invited to taste some of the dishes and the food was outstanding and absolutely worth the visit. The veterans behind Bella Luna are turning out sublime pastas, incredible seafood, delectable entrées and sumptuous desserts. We started out with the homemade meatballs and it’s a must-try. Using a blend of beef and veal, the meat was extremely soft and tender. It was served with a heap of ricotta and savory marinara sauce—a powerful flavor combination making it extremely satisfying. The size of the meatballs were huge and three balls were served in a dish, making it a great value as well.
As for the pastas, the linguine with clams was a superstar. I could eat this everyday. The dish was flawlessly made with olive oil, garlic, fresh parsley and with an abundance of clams that were fresh and not too briny. Overall, it had a savory flavor—yet light and aromatic. It’s a classic, but Bella Luna takes the dish to a whole new level. Trust us, order the linguine with clams! Another excellent pasta was the capellini alla campagnola, consisting of warm goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, broccoli, garlic, and olive oil. This rustic vegetarian plate featuring angel hair pasta was very comforting. Due to the slightly al dente texture that is lighter and more elegant than thicker pastas, the combination of the angel hair and fresh vegetables was well balanced and you won’t be feeling overstuffed.
Bella Luna also serves brick oven, thin-crust pizzas, but the lasagna is a real standout on the menu. Their massive size lasagna is made with slow-cooked tomato sauce, ricotta filling, melty cheese and tender pasta that has been properly layered and browned with slightly crunchy edges. The creamy cheese layer balanced the tang of the tomato sauce and the richness of the meat. The dish was exceptional and every bite was filled with robust flavor. It was simply divine.
The entrées are also praiseworthy and sparked joy, especially the filet mignon. Served with spinach, roasted potatoes, the meat was exceptionally tender and juicy. Its texture was naturally soft, delicate and literally melted in our mouth. The braised lamb shank served with pappardelle pasta is also worth mentioning. The lamb was incredibly tender and succulent, easily falling off the bone. This was a fantastic and opulent dish that many will enjoy.
To cap off any meal, dessert is needed and Bella Luna’s homemade take on tiramisu is a must order. The sweet confection consists of lady fingers, strong espresso, liquor and chilled mascarpone. The ratio between the cake and the cream was perfectly balanced and not overly sweet. Just order their tiramisu because you won’t regret it.
Not only is the food at Bella Luna impressive, but their warm and cozy restaurant is alluring. Large wicker baskets surrounded by ivy plants hang from the ceiling creating a very chic and romantic setting, especially during the evening. The space is dimly lit, but is offset by large windows that let in natural light—making their dining room an ideal daytime lunch spot or a destination for an idyllic dinner. The space also features a long hidden mural depicting Central Park in autumn, believed to date back to the 1930s, which was discovered and restored by artist Mark Rutkowski.
Lastly, General Manager Ilia Sejdho, who has designed a new cocktail list, has elevated the offerings at Bella Luna. The drinks include a passion fruit mule, a tropical margarita, a yuzu pistachio drink and the delicious Autumn Bliss, which consists of Tito’s Vodka, pumpkin puree, espresso, liquid chai, cream and espresso liqueur.
With so many new offerings, make a reservation at Bella Luna now for the best food and drinks. You don’t want to miss out on one of Manhattan’s best Italian restaurants!