Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum

Calis Beach Forum => Calis Bar and Restaurant Questions and Discussions => Topic started by: Steve A on May 31, 2017, 08:53:39 AM

Title: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: Steve A on May 31, 2017, 08:53:39 AM
Haven't eaten at Bella for quite a while now having had a bad experience and preferring the (in my book) infinitely better Casa Di mama.
Well having heard some good reviews recently ,one from my daughter,we decided to try it again last night.
First impressions are that it looks very nice,lovely bar area etc but scratch the surface and it's starting to look a bit tired.
We were initially given a table outside but there were so many flies we asked to be moved inside.We moved to a table for two and the seats were akin to deck chairs.The staff have no interaction with guests some looked like they could do with a good wash,I recall they all used to wear crisp white shirts and black trousers,not now.There was also a heavy fatty,buttery smell coming from the kitchen which was off putting,no inviting smells here.
The service and the arrival of the food was very prompt.
My wife had garlic prawns to start and they were awful,about six small prawns submerged in what tasted like melted margarine and smelled the same as the smell emanating from the kitchen,not even a hint of garlic.They brought her bread which was a small puffa bread which was stale and cold.
I had calamari which tasted okay but was like rubber,cooked on too high a heat.
Mrs A had the ciao Bella pizza which had about four pieces of "fillet" steak on it,the street dogs got it.
I had a spicy Italian calzone with Napoli sauce,it came with bolognese sauce on,I sent it back and then scraped the bolognese off and covered it with cold arrabiata sauce ! I attempted to eat it but the cubed beef was more like stewing steak.
There is just something wrong with the flavours and seasoning at this place as well as the cooking,chefs night off maybe?
Here's the rub that I hate,I didn't complain !
Reason? The last time I raised issues at Bella I almost got into a fight with the manager who threatened me with the polis.
So I will vote with my feet again and try elsewhere.
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: Google on May 31, 2017, 11:06:42 AM
Well said. This place has gone from bad to very bad to disgusting
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: Highlander on May 31, 2017, 11:14:38 AM
This is very concerning as we have always had superb service and food in Bella Mamma's and indeed it was voted Best Calis Restaurant last year.

Over what timescale were you talking about google may I ask.
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: Jacqui Harvey on May 31, 2017, 11:36:25 AM
We also noted, as I commented before, the alcohol content in the Irish and Amaretto Coffees was minimal last week and this was always the coffee we looked forward to and was the best in the area.   However, both the meals were fine and service was good.
We think they may be cutting corners as the visitor numbers are down again this year. 
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: Fran on May 31, 2017, 11:38:47 AM
We ate there a couple of weeks ago and it was very nice.


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Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: Google on May 31, 2017, 12:20:57 PM
Mainly end of last season. Food was really good as was service up until end of last season when everything just seemed to go to pot. Service was so miserable and rushed. Will try again though because it has always been a great favourite of our family and was one the restaurants that we could rely on to get an excellent meal every time.
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: davybill on May 31, 2017, 15:33:55 PM
We ate there last week, the food was good and the service wad fine..
No complaints from 4 of us.
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: cenk on May 31, 2017, 16:04:56 PM
We ate there 2 weeks ago. Both food and service was good as usual.
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: steveb1 on June 01, 2017, 02:14:22 AM
Steve a think we were sitting next to you .
I can't complain about our meal or service I had Tournedos Rossini and my other half had salmon both dishes where lovely
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: catsrus on June 06, 2017, 12:50:51 PM
I ate at Bella Mama's on Sunday evening and as usual it was very good, no complaints at all.
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: Christie on June 06, 2017, 13:14:36 PM
We have now had two meals at Bella mama, both excellent and just as good as always.  Service also very good, friendly and efficient, and price wise good value.  Will be back many times more as this remains our favourite restaurant in calis.
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: MarKar on June 10, 2017, 22:57:38 PM
Not one of my favourites I have to say, I find the seating uncomfortable, and the service although efficient, by Turkish standards very impersonal and food only average, plenty of other place to chose from for my preference.
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: Jacqui Harvey on June 11, 2017, 07:33:55 AM
Bella Mama's was once THE place to eat,  however, now, for us,  it is O.K but nothing special.
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: Steve A on June 11, 2017, 08:35:48 AM
Never going back,but those who do ,enjoy.
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: Scunner on June 11, 2017, 12:36:32 PM
It fell off our list for years and for no reason really. We only tried it because we were staying at the Delta and I have to say it was superb. The Swedish steak is on my must have meals list now   :)

It is quite stiff and standoffish but I believe that was by design - we love the Calis banter but find this a welcome change too.


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Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: lissa on June 11, 2017, 19:40:18 PM
I agree Keith, not everybody wants the 'banter', and I think Sue and Zihni purposely made it this way. Provençal steak is very good too!
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: busybee on June 12, 2017, 05:27:06 AM
I am glad I am not the only one who finds the seating uncomfortable, chairs slope backwards.  I like to sit up straight when I am eating.  For that reason alone, I never go there.
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: Jacqui Harvey on June 12, 2017, 06:55:47 AM
An Italian Restaurant in Turkey with Swedish Steak... sounds about right.   ;D  ;) :o :-X  ;)
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: dycedon on June 12, 2017, 09:24:15 AM
Approx eight years ago we as a party of four, two ordered lasagne, came out really cold in middle, sent back, do you want something else, erm no thanks never been back since, used to visit all the time previous to this.
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: cjvonthejack on July 19, 2018, 10:34:19 AM
Tried this for the 2nd evening of my holiday; much more of a 'dining experience' than the Summer Breeze managed.
Very pleasant food, and such a plateful of Mexican chicken that I was defeated...and that doesn't happen often.
Thought the staff were, as indeed they should be at a decent place, attentive to ALL the guests. Does, I fear, occasionally happen that a solo diner is treated as rather a 3rd class citizen. In no sense was that the case here, and I shall certainly go back.
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: Highlander on July 19, 2018, 11:36:49 AM
One of our favourites - consistent high standards in all departments.

Always high up in the Best Restaurant vote.
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: marina on July 19, 2018, 14:09:00 PM
Ours too. Eat there at least once every visit. Never been disappointed.
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: Taddy on July 19, 2018, 15:15:45 PM
Pasta dishes are great value and quality, and I enjoy the unintrusive service. A favourite of mine.
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: laytos115 on August 13, 2019, 06:22:50 AM
Went there few years ago, although food was ok! Place reminded me of a conveyer belt. Go in sit down eat food goodbye, hardly no conversation with the staff. Got the impression they were not allowed to make small talk with you as it meant you stayed longer than they wanted you too. Not for me
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: davybill on August 13, 2019, 08:11:22 AM
Usually about 10 of us go good service, and and no complaints about the food,
and find the waiters very polite
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: Highlander on August 13, 2019, 08:35:00 AM
Consistently good - as proven by their standing in the Best Restaurant Vote every year.

Refreshingly efficient.
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: marina on August 13, 2019, 09:04:31 AM
One of our favourites, always on the list to go to every visit.
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: George Warner on August 13, 2019, 09:58:11 AM
Whew!! So relieved, read the First post and wondered what had happened,then noticed the date,2017,
 We were there last week and had good food,good service and good ambience,
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: Christie on August 13, 2019, 10:11:43 AM
Our favourite restaurant, we find the food,  waiters etc excellent and always helpful and will always chat to you, whilst obviously being efficient and doing their job.  We often sit down and just have a drink (their pink gin is yummy) and then order our meal.   We have never been rushed out and love being in a busy popular well run restaurant with that lovely view.
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: lissa on August 13, 2019, 19:14:22 PM
My favourite  restaurant along the front, just find the food never disappoints, waiters attentive but not too much so, prices good.
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: Andy W on August 14, 2019, 18:31:17 PM
Interesting views. We have found the front of house person very ill mannered. As Laytos115 states we find it an in and out kind of restaurant. Much prefer Casa Mama's the food there is on a par if not better and the staff more attentive.
 
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: Scunner on August 14, 2019, 18:52:58 PM

 Got the impression they were not allowed to make small talk with you as it meant you stayed longer than they wanted you too.

It's not that at all! It's professional service. If it's waiter small talk you want, there's plenty of alternatives in Calis. Sometimes, we don't.
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: charlste on August 14, 2019, 19:10:23 PM
Totally agree Keith.
We have the banter in other restaurants and when you just want to sit and have a chat with your company bellas is the place to be.
Trouble is we know Sue very well and she likes to chat.lol
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: Scunner on August 14, 2019, 19:27:32 PM
Same :D
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: Kevin Sowten on August 14, 2019, 21:28:48 PM
Lovely food but they want to dispense with you asap to fill the seats again - Like an upmarket Harvester !!!!
Title: Re: Bella Mama ,Style above substance!
Post by: Christie on August 14, 2019, 22:29:39 PM
Have to say we go to Bella Mama a lot and have always found all the staff  and especially the front of house to be really nice and helpful.  If it is full they will let you know how long the wait is likely to be and they are always spot on.  We have never been rushed,  we often just sit for a while at the table enjoying a drink before ordering the meal.  Everyone likes different things so it is good that there is a good selection of restaurants in Calis to please every one.