Bella Cucina

Mmm this was a surprise
I always say «there is no place good to eat in Pennsylvania unless it is pizza or wings» — but I can’t say that any more.
The potato bacon corn chowder was wonderful I wish I would have ordered a bowl instead of a cup!
The chick cordon bleu sandwich was good too — the chicken breast need a couple of whacks with a meat tenderizing hammer it was at least 1−½″ thick on one side but it was delicious.
The bread was really soft too
Next time in Franklin Pennsylvania I’m heading to the «nice kitchen» for lunch mmmm I can’t wait

We were looking for a nice meal when arriving in town and meeting up with visitors before the start of a work week (on travel for a site visit). Didn’t know what to expect and coming from a big city, wasn’t sure if there would be good options. We were all pleasantly surprised – very nice décor, nice energy, excellent food. Would definitely recommend.

Overall I enjoyed the meal here, as well as the very attentive service. And yes, it is enriching a backward Central Pennsylvania town.
However, $ 33 for an entrée with ¼ trout and 3 (somewhat aged) scallops is seriously overpricing the cultural contributions this place offers.
Furthermore, the self-​categorization as «Italian» is disappointing and misleading. Where do I start? Just because olive oil and tiramisu are commanded onto the menu doesn’t mean proprietor or kitchen staff seem likely to find Italy on a map, given the opportunity: Bad coffee instead of decent after-​meal espresso, lot’s of heavy American dessert options (but no fresh fruit), following a wild semi-​international theme park of pleasant-​enough but overwrought food (chimichurri, ginger, sashimi, crab cakes, black bean soup, etc). But mostly, the guiding principle of good, regional, truly Italian cuisine just seems thoroughly unknown and joyfully cast aside: Start with the best possible ingredients, bring out the true flavor of good food, keep it simple, that is the Italian cuisine I remember and value. Instead they seek to overwhelm with a quantity of creative surprises, entrees featuring lists of ingredients and flavors longer than those on a box of Twinkies. Oh well.

Ok so we were looking for a nice dinner before a show at the Barrow Civic across the street and settled here and we’re seated outside on a nice covered patio on a gorgeous early spring day. Wife wanted Italian and we both know good Italian when we find it. WOW !! We spent some serious bucks but really worth it I think for a special couples night out. This is too nice to bring the little ones
Our experience was phenomenal and the tab was 79 plus tip for the following: calamari app ($ 11 very generous) 2 house and one spec wine for $ 20 one tortellini with andouille and scallops for $ 25 and one Greek chicken on angel hair for $ 20
No plain old spaghetti and meatballs here but a really creative offering.
We’ll be back

Absolutely amazing! Quality and favor on every turn of the menu. There is a section of said menu that reads, «If there is a dish you desire and the ingredient are available, our chefs will glad prepare it for you». That is a mark of high standards. I asked the waitress how often that happens she said «almost every day.» Very pleased with everything there!

Bella Cucina is one of the loveliest restaurants that Franklin has to offer if not the loveliest. Large vaulted ceilings, large plants, large windows, and large tables everything about the place is airy except for the space between some of those large tables. Thick white table clothes, a beautiful bar, and nice tableware Bella’s is a classy restaurant and a good place to take people for special occasions.
The food is delicious. One night I had a black and blue steak with a thick layer of blue cheese that was scrumptious and decadent. The meat was perfectly prepared and cut like butter. It was pure deliciousness. With small red potatoes as the side dish and potent lemon drops as my dessert I was thoroughly impressed and incredibly full. The next day I returned with my mother for lunch. I had the special which was an apple bacon cheeseburger. I never dreamed of such a combination — a large burger patty with thick cuts of bacon topped with apple slices and then a gorgonzola cheese melted on the top. It was sweet and savory, a mixture of crunchiness and creaminess, and utter deliciousness. I walked out of Bella’s feeling overly full and utterly content.
The level of service depends on the busyness of the restaurant. The first night that I went to Bella’s initially our water glasses were regularly filled, our waitress stopped by frequently, and there was a high level of attention. As the night went on the place filled up including spilling out onto the porch in weather that I would not dream about eating outside in. It did not appear as though the staff increased and so our water glasses were neglected and by the time our waitress returned to ask if we wanted desserts we were all pretty tired of sitting there so we left. The lunch the next day was during Applefest so the place was busier than it most likely regularly sees. We were ushered to a table in the back and our waitress took our order fast but no side dishes were offered beyond chips, drinks were not asked for, and after that we were forgotten. Our food was eventually delivered, and then it took about fifteen minutes after we finished eating to get our bill and only after stopping another waitress to ask for it.
They have good intentions, and when they have the opportunity they take full advantage of giving great service. It just appears that when they become overwhelmed they lose focus of an order of operations to be able to do everything that needs to be done. I still recommend Bella’s because they make delicious food and prepare strong alcoholic drinks and they flash a smile and have a laugh when they are permitted the opportunity.

The food and service is wonderful. My absolute favorite place for lunch or dinner in Franklin.

Tonight a group of 20 of us that are in town for a business meeting went to Bella Cucina for dinner and it was the most amazing meal!!! Our dinner group was made up of people from 8 different states and we ALL keep repeating how wonderful the meal was. We all travel a ton and this meal took the prize! The food presentation was superb… the taste was to die for and the service was spot on! This was my first visit and if I wasn’t going back to Ohio tomorrow I would be going back! Thank you Bella Cucina for exceeding our expectations!

Been a long time since I’ve reviewed a place mostly because many of the places I’ve been to recently have been so average that there is no real point. Bella Cucina though deserves what I am about to say. Hope they read it and I hope they view it as constructive criticism as I want them to succeed.
Myself and 3 coworkers took an exec from Nike, yes the Nike to Bella’s as they he was in town to review some machinery manufactured in Franklin. Ok so not asking for preferential treatment, but they obviously were giving to the locals, which again is understandable, but not when sacrificing other paying customers.
We showed up at 10 to noon on a Wednesday, so they should be prepared for a lunch «rush» especially as there were 4 floor workers in a place with 16 tables and 5 bar seats?!
Took 5+ minutes to get a server to the table and get drinks
Just under 5 minutes to get our drinks
Five more minutes for her to return to take our order and promise us bread.
The locals at nearby tables got bread in about 10 minutes it took us 15 minutes.
40+ minutes to get our food from the time it was ordered, we all got salads and sandwiches. So we are at around an hour… The server never asked us what sides we wanted with our sandwiches I later heard them offering fries, pasta salad, fruit salad, or chips to another table… we all got chips… A small broken handful of Giant Eagle Kettle Chips…
Food was good and no one complained, but then again no one said anything positive either. My Pork Belly Bahn Mi was good and flavorful, too bad 90% of the flavor came from the sauce… A Bahn Mi should be a layering of textures and flavors, not a messy sauce delivery box.
I unfortunately cannot feel comfortable taking clients here which is sad, because it is the only nice option in town.
And would it kill the servers to smile?

I have dined here a handful of times. Each time I have, the food and the atmosphere was inviting. Everything was wonderful and delicious. If you have a special occasion to celebrate… go here, you will NOT regret it! But make sure to have plenty of money! It is worth every penny! Excellent food. Superior service and Terrific place all around!

Excellent! Family get together of 10! Took reservations and when our party arrived we were promptly seated. Good and service was amazing.

Excellent meal wonderful service! My wife and I both got salmon prepared two very different ways and both could not have been better. Small restaurant with complete attention to detail. If this place was in a big city you would not be able to get in this place. Seriously we happened into this place by accident when we were in town for swim meet and now we might drive back just to eat here again. Nothing but good things to say here. Service unlike we’ve had in a long long time.

Great food, great service, great place to slow down and enjoy lunch. My burger was perfectly prepared (medium) and delicious.

We’ve visited Bella Cucina’s quite a few times and always enjoy their creative and delicious food. Their menu is not only extensive, but very imaginative and impressive. We’ve never had a meal we disliked, but we especially love the way they prepare duck — it’s tender and always paired perfectly. Their appetizers, salads, and desserts are also fantastic.
I would easily give this place five stars, but the service isn’t always consistent. The servers often seem aloof and the service (even on drinks) can be a little slow. Fortunately, the food is always worth the wait!

This place is wonderful. The food was a little pricey, but well worth it for the elaborate meals that were offered on the menu. I ordered the Seafood Dou. The crab cake was made with lump crab meat and the scallops were perfectly cooked. The meal was superb. It was a more refine dining experience then anything else available in the small town of Franklin.

Quaint, awesome dining experience. Specials offered by chef most everyday. Food well-​prepared service was excellent pricing a little high but again food was great! I’ve gone twice since I was in town for business for 4 days (rare for me to visit more then once in most towns).

This place is awesome! Food was great. Service was great and ambiance is lovely. Will come back here again.

A bit pricey but I was surprised to find a restaurant of this quality pop up under my radar. The duck and house salad were great and this place would justify a drive from Pittsburgh for an evening out.
A bit busy and noisy, but the keyboard player who looked about 15 was a nice touch without overpowering the conversation. Do make reservations though because the locals seem to know about this place.

By far my favorite restaurant in the area. Love the food, the atmosphere and the staff. Visited last night and had the filet as my entrée. However it was overshadowed by the roasted tomato and asiago risotto which we ordered for the table to share. It was fantastic! The mac and cheese is delicious too as well as the crab cakes and Greek chicken. They usually have a very long list of desserts; I always choose the tiramisu. I really don’t think you can go wrong with anything on their menu.

This place was definitely a surprise my partner brought me and a couple of my best friends for my birthday. We didn’t have a reservation and they were booked. But they fit us in anyway, right away. I had an absolut pear martini and the New York strip. Amazing! I’m not usually one to get a steak with sauces on it but amazing. I was not expecting it to be spicy but it paired well with the cut of meat. Cooked perfectly (med rare). Absolutely worth the extra money. I didn’t know a restaurant of this caliber was in Franklin. I’ll be sure to come back time and time again.