If you love brick oven pizza you will definitely want to search out Bella Luna, a restaurant hidden in the Upper West Side that has been serving tried and true Italian dishes for over 30 years. The restaurant was founded in 1988 by Turkish owner and pioneering Soho restaurateur Turgut Balikci, who developed 20 European-influenced and Mediterranean-inspired restaurants including the former Diva on West Broadway and his acclaimed Upper West Side Mediterranean spot Bodrum. Balikci’s team is comprised of managing partner Guray Yuksel, and general manager Angela Noll, who has been working with Balikci for five years and Yuksel for more than ten years. Together they have created a warm, family-friendly and hospitality first establishment that stands out amongst the Upper West Side crowd.
Executive Chef German “Primo” Angelo has been at the helm of the Bella Luna kitchen for over a decade and follows in the footsteps of his mentor, original Bella Luna chef of 25 years, Tuscany-born Mario Zimbelli. Chef Angelo’s menu, which is offered for lunch and dinner, commences with an assortment of antipasti with a creamy and flavorful Polenta topped with a hearty Bolognese sauce; and an expertly fine sliced Beef Carpaccio that is adorned with arugula, capers, parmesan, olive oil and lemon.
- Off-The-Menu: Specialty pies include a play on a New York classic, the Smoked Salmon pizza combines smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers and slices of red onion.
- Namesake Signature: The Bella Luna pizza has an enticing blend of wild mushroom, onion and fontina, drizzled in decadent, umami truffle oil over a perfectly crisped crust.
- Meat-Lovers: Made with a luxurious lamb ragu, Italian hot peppers and spices is the satisfying Spicy Lamb pizza.
- Brunch: Sweet fanatics will indulge in the Strawberry Nutella pizzamade with ricotta and basil.
Other menu highlights that have attracted long-time regulars and new diners alike are:
- The savory Lobster Ravioli, dressed in a rich, cream sauce and fresh dill.
- Braised Lamb Shank, slow cooked and undeniably tender, served with creamy mashed potatoes.
Salads start with a traditional Sicilian Salad, comprised of fennel, radicchio, lettuce, capers, olives, parmesan, olive oil and lemon; and the Bella Luna Salad made with mixed greens, roasted red peppers, capers, olives and mozzarella for a sweet and salty mouthful.
Bella Luna’s Brick Oven Pizza is not-to-be-missed with perfectly crisped crust and unique combinations culminating into some of the best Brick Oven Pizza in the area with everything from savory to sweet pies. While they do offer the traditional Marinara, White and Vegetarian, guests can enjoy a number of other more adventurous selections including the Bella Luna with a tantalizing blend of wild mushroom, onion and fontina, all beautifully drizzled in decadent truffle oil. The Spicy Lamb pizza is made with a luxurious lamb ragu, Italian hot peppers and an array of spices. Specialty pizzas include Smoked Salmon, which combines smoked salmon and cream cheese topped with capers and slices of red onion for a savory slice.
Pastas spotlighted include crowd favorite Linguini with Homemade Meatballs. A rich Fettucine Alfredo features fresh white and spinach pasta with mushrooms and pools of creamy alfredo sauce. Specialty pastas are offered with their signature Linguini Bella Luna with fresh linguini, shrimp, mussels, clams, and calamari swimming in a light and flavor packed tomato sauce. They also have a savory Lobster Ravioli dressed in a cream sauce and fresh dill.
Entrées come in the form of Braised Lamb Shank, slow cooked and undeniably tender, served with creamy mashed potatoes; and flaky Filet of Branzini with white wine, lemon, capers and spinach.
A $22 Three-Course Prix Fixe Menu is available every day from noon-6 p.m. and includes an appetizer, entrée, and dessert, with combinations such as Bruschetta, Ravioli Basilico with ricotta cheese filling, tomato sauce and basil, and a choice of chocolate, French vanilla or strawberry ice cream.
The Children’s Menu features a Build Your Pasta selection, where kids can choose from an array of different types of pasta and pick their own sauce for a creativity-infused meal.
Weekend Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Selections include the Bella Luna Omelette with mushroom, fontina and onion; Garden Frittata with yellow squash, zucchini, tomato, eggplant and marinara sauce on the side; and a Chicken Pesto Panini with chicken, sundried tomatoes and mozzarella, served with French fries.
Two breakfast pizzas are also provided with the Bacon and Egg and the sweet tooth lovers Strawberry Nutella with ricotta, strawberry and basil.
The dishes served at Bella Luna can be altered for vegetarians.
A beautifully curated wine list from manager Angela Noll can be found at the restaurant with every wine by the glass under $15. The Italian focused selection, which is offered by the glass or bottle, features vegan, biodynamic and organic wines. Choices include a sancerre from Domaine de la Pauline, Loire, France; a Super Tuscan IGT from Monte Bernardi ‘Gypsy Girl’ Tuscany, Ital; and a primitivo from A Mano, Puglia Italy. They also provide a number of global and domestic beers including Peroni and Moretti La Rossa.
For a sweet finish to the meal guests can enjoy the housemade light and airy Tiramisu or selection of gelatos with flavors such as pistachio and hazelnut.
The Upper West Side space was built in 1893 and has had many transformations before becoming Bella Luna today. It previously served as a general market in the 1890s and a speakeasy/restaurant by the late William Pogue during and after Prohibition, from 1933 until 1968. In the 1990’s the space was a flower shop, which was known as the Secret Garden. Unbeknownst to the Bella Luna team, a mural of Central Park in autumn, believed to be painted in the 1930s, was uncovered during the renovations and was restored by American artist Mark Rutkoski.
The space was then re-designed by Daniel Lee of QBIK Construction to create an inviting and rustic feel. Leather banquettes are found flanking the left side, and mahogany tabletops and wrought-iron table bases by Italian artist Arturo Di Modica, who famously created and installed the Charging Bull in front of the New York Stock Exchange, are found scattered throughout the restaurant. Six marble eggshell chandeliers hang from the ceiling, emitting a golden-hued glow and an exposed brick wall serves as the backdrop to the bar, showcasing the selection of wines.
In-house delivery is available, offering the fastest delivery on the Upper West Side with 10% off every order placed through the website. The restaurant is also on GrubHub and Seamless, and available for catering and take-out.
Bella Luna is located at 574 Columbus Avenue between 87th and 88th streets. Their phone number is 212-877-2267.
Find them on Instagram: @bellalunanyc
Their total seating capacity is 65 and 6 at the bar. For those looking to enjoy a slice while watching the snow fall, Bella Luna features an outdoor enclosed dining area for the winter. 16 can sit outside in the fall and winter and 32 in the spring and summer.
Their hours are:
Lunch: Mon. – Sun. 12pm-4pm
Dinner: Sun. – Thurs. 4pm – 10pm
Fri. & Sat. 3pm – 10:30pm
Brunch: Sat. & Sun. 11:30am – 3pm (In addition to the reuglar menu)
