Bella Luce Restaurant and Bar

Good experience dining here with their special Valentine’s Day menu this past weekend. Kicked it off with the calamari, which we just got plain with sauce on the side. It was fried right and was a good sized portion.
For my main meal I got the Fettucine Norcia, which satisfied my love for mushrooms with a huge mushroomy punch. This is fettucine with cremini, shiitake, and porcini mushrooms, topped with black truffle butter, roasted garlic, and roasted grape tomatoes. The pasta was cooked right, the mushroom taste was varied and complementary, and the roasted grape tomatoes finished it off with a degree of sweetness that added to the dish perfectly. This was also a good sized portion.
The atmosphere adds nicely to the dining experience here. It’s new, clean, dark, and classy with a well-​arranged bar area and seating on the side. Although we sat at the tables, I would love to come back here and spend some time at the bar. The large service window to the kitchen opens right up to the dining area, so you can watch the chefs cook and plate the dishes while you wait. Service was very friendly, attentive, and overall upbeat and happy.

Food is good and the wine selection is good. But the owner has a terrible temper. I could not believe that a man would have a temper tantrum in front of everyone during Valentine dinner. He put his face up against a worker and scolded him and also a female staffer. That was not enough he then stomped his feet all the way to his office and slammed the door. Here I was with my husband mortified. We finished quickly took our leftovers and left. His behavior was appalling and disgusting. It was like watching a bully having a temper tantrum because things didn’t go his way. SHAME ON YOU AND WE WILL NEVER GO BACK. TREAT YOUR EMPLOYEES WITH RESPECT. TAKE THEM TO ANOTHER ROOM AND SPEAK TO THEM PRIVATELY.

I came here on a whim after running a few errands in the area. The décor was nice, the food was great, not over cooked and perfect portions and the staff was friendly. Will be back.

Went back to Bella Luce last Saturday night for a drink at the bar. WOW! What a difference new bartenders made! They were very personable and attentive, we never had to wait for a drink! We had such a nice evening we went back this week for dinner. It was a very busy night, we didn’t have a reservation so we decided to eat at the bar. Stella was the bartender and took such great care of us! We started out with the seafood salad special. It was light, fresh and delicious! Enough to share too. I then had the skate wings, I think it was a special also. Absolutely delicious!!! Fresh fish on top of mashed potatoes with a side of julienned vegetables. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a meal so much! My husband had the tuna, I tried it and it was perfect! No room for dessert but we did stay at the bar for a bit and listen to the Dj. Can’t wait to go back!

I was here with a friend, just exploring a new place for dinner. The food was great, the staff was great, and the owner checked introduced himself and chatted with us for a bit. You basically only hear/​see this type of experience in movies. It was awesome. Try the Veal. I enjoyed.

Finally nutley has a really good fine dining destination. The service is phenomenal, ingredients super fresh and they are very very accomodating. I am a major pain in the butt when it comes to my food requests and they always nail them perfectly with a smile. They are also extremely accomodating to my 18 month old son who always has a pleasant experience there. Joe the owner goes above and beyond to make sure we are satisfied with everything from food to service. The waitstaff are all great. My family and i frequent often and will continue to do so

Food made passionately, professional and gracious service in a well appointed establishment.
We started with the crispy calamari that was lightly batter and freshly fried. The calamari was tender, light and had the unmistakable fresh seafood sweetness to it. Buddy and I took forever to decide on the entre. Everything looks good. We agonized over our selection and finally arrived at Braised Ribs and Fetucine Nozaria. Both are fresh made, in house pasta. I had the fetucine and it was served with mushrooms over savory and creamy sauce. Long story short, we both concluded that our dishes are spectacular. Some body in the kitchen has mad skills. Somebody in the restaurant made a conscious choice to use the best and most fresh ingredients possible. The results are self evident. You take a bite and you know this is the REAL deal.
The service is stellar. Our server, Francesca is warm, friendly and professional. Great wine service and did not once interrupt the table conversation. She did not just put plates in front of us. she created the dining experience and orchestrated the services.
This is a well run restaurant that takes pride in their food, service and space. You can be confident that this restaurant will perform when you most need it.

I was here about a week ago on a recommendation. Just about everything was perfect. There is a bar area with TV on one side and a dinning room on the other side. They have an open wall on one side to make the kitchen visible.
I ordered a side order of meatballs as an appetizer and Veal Alla Romana for main course. There was sage and rosemary spice in the veal. Not sure which spice I’m not crazy about, but it was one of them. However, that’s just me and my personal taste and has nothing to do with the delicious tender veal which was beautifully plated.
We also had coffee and dessert and the service was professional and friendly.
I’ll be recommending this place too.

Came here for a nice dinner after work. The food is delicious and perfectly prepared. Had the octopus salad and chicken special. Both were amazing.
The service is one point. We sat at the bar and the bartender was on top of everything.
Great place, amazing food, wonderful service. This place is in my rotation.

Loved my dinner at Bella Luce last night. The scene was totally authentic, and the food was out of this world good. I had the braised short ribs, and substituted polenta for the parapdelle. It was fantastic.
I was also very impressed with the Ice-​box cake dessert. Who else has offers an icebox cake? I’ve never seen that before. Totally native to the area, and probably the best icebox cake I’ve ever had.
They’re doing it right at Bella Luce, and the next time I get to choose the place with my dinner friends, it’s gonna be Bella Luce for sure. Nicely done!

Today I went into Bella Luce for lunch, I was greeted by a cheerful bartender and was kindly seated by our waitress. I was seated and after our drinks had been taken there was a tapas which was this amazing almost eggplant parm spread to put on our bread. I didn’t even have to ask before it was refilled again. My husband and I got the appetizer of the shrimp and garlic, it was out of this world. We also had the farroh salad with grilled shrimp that was just as delicious. A top of the amazing cocktails, our server was unbelievable. She was there when we needed her, and made sure that everything was handled to the best of Bella Luce’s ability. Our server was very personable and attentive, and one of the main reasons that we will be coming back. I really suggest you check it out.

Great food and even better service! Pork Chop was on point and our waitress, Francesca, was a doll. Will return again for both!

Bella Luce was recommended to me by many people so I decided to try it out for myself. When I went I showed up earlier then my reservations, which worked out perfectly because I was introduced to the Watermelon martini — perfect for a hot summer night — not too sweet or strong. The bartender was very caring to not only my needs but the others at the bar as well.
Our waitress (I forget her name) sat us down as a table for 2. We ordered the Sesame ginger calamari and the Meat balls for appetizers. The calamari was crispy and added the sauce added flavor to the fish. The meatballs — for once I felt like I was eating my mothers meatballs, they were delicious and homemade. Cooked in the sauce is the way to do it!
My boyfriend ordered the pork chop. It was seasoned to perfection and cooked just right. He’s very picky with his meat so when he didn’t send it back I knew he loved it. The
Shrimp risotto dinner entrée was filling and fresh.
To top it off, the Brownie baked w hazelnuts and walnuts w ice cream and cappuccinos for dessert were the bomb. I would go here just to get these 2 things again!
Our waitress was very tentative to our needs. She was extremely generous, she refilled our cups constantly, always checked to see if we needed anything, asked us about our life and summer, I love when waitresses get personal, it shows they care you are eating at that restaurant. We weren’t rushed out which was great.
I’ll be back soon again!

Worst service ever. End of story. Staff is disconnected and disorganized. We waited for service at the bar for an extended period of time when we finally did get service and menus we expressed an interest in ordering food. then we waited even longer I had to get up and out of my seat after 20 minutes and ask for The check because we would die of starvation. Then 10 minutes later a waitress showed up asking us what we wanted to order we asked for the check again. Five minutes later the hostess showed up and asked if we wanted to order food. I again insisted on the check. The staff was oblivious. 2 drinks total, almost an hour no food, we were out. On top of it my wife bellyached the whole time.

Had the pleasure of dining at Bella Luce. Everything Chef Erm Firmani prepared was absolutely phenomenal. Whenever you see scallops on the menu do not hesitate to get them, they were the best scallops I’ve ever had. Great service, great atmosphere, great food. I will definitely be coming back soon

Mediocre food. Limited menu. Nice bar. No complaints but wouldn’t go back. Nothing special about this place. There’s Italian restaurants on every block in northern NJ and this one is average.

Fresh pasta well cooked and seasoned.
Service was excellent from the time I walked in until I left. I had the Cacio e Pepe which is easy to prepare if you know what you’re doing and easy to mess up if you don’t.
They nailed it. Great job I’ll be back.

The food was really good. We had calamari app, I had a fettuccine dish and
a side of Meatballs, my BF had a Zuppe de pesce dish. Everything was very well prepared and delicious. The wine list was solid. We had a kind of deconstructed cannoli for dessert that was excellent.
If I had any criticism that kept me from giving a 5 star review, it is about the lack of friendliness when you walk in. The“hostess” or owners wife, or whatever was sitting at the bar eating (it was kind of early on a Sunday 6pm) and didn’t seem to see us until her friends pointed to us. At that point she walked over, looked us up and down and answers the phone. No smile, no «one minute» just answered the phone. A guy came along who was a little friendlier and sat us. This is not unusual for Nutley restaurants. We weren’t born here, we are not really in the club. We are used to it. It definitely felt like most people in this restaurant knew each other and the staff.
The waiter was fine but not great. I asked him if there was cream In My pasta, he said no– there was a little. Not really a big deal for me, but might be for some. We heard the waitress at the next table tell them about a special we hadn’t been told about… our waiter seemed a bit overwhelmed. They did get busy while we sat there.
We go to restaurants for the food, not to make friends so we will be back, but I would recommend they try a little harder to be welcoming when an unfamiliar face walks in the door. I know they have a big following from their restaurant in Caldwell, but I imagine the owners are looking for new, additional regulars in Nutley.

OMG. Finally a good place to eat in Nutley.
My husband and I went to Luce when they were in Caldwell. We’re so happy they are now in our home town. Food, atmosphere, and service was top notch. We loved everything. My one wish would be they were still a BYO. Joe, the owner, is an excellent host. He made our experience a memorable one. We will be back.

Was lucky enough to get in for one of there first meals this past Saturday nite. Food was amazing my 89 year old Gma can’t stop talking about how great there calamari was and I agree. There double cut pork chop was out of this world. I know how simple rigatoni vodka is and had it 50 times at 50 different places but my kid order it here and the whole table agreed it was hands down the best they ever had. We had the crêpe and modern cannoli for dessert both were awesome. Nutley finally has a great place to eat
Thanks Joe and Dino great transition from Luce in Caldwell