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La Bella Cafe - CLOSED
Categories: Restaurants Italian Restaurants French Italian, French [Edit]
735 N Main StSte A
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
(928) 239-4198
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dessert, Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
8 reviews for La Bella Cafe
8 reviews in English
-
Review from Rasheed A.
Scottsdale, AZ
9/9/2010
If you find yourself in the area of Cottonwood, Jerome, or even Sedona do yourself a favor and stop by this place.
The owners are talented, hardworking, and extremely friendly. I've only been here once (the meal was fantastic and inexpensive) but it's made a big impression on me. The cafe itself is cozy and really well decorated and maintained. Everything is truly made from scratch and the stuff they churn out of that kitchen is TOP-NOTCH. Let me tell you, Wayne (the chef) and his family know how to cook and I assure you, you'll walk away satisfied and smiling.
The menu is unique, priced really well, and is a godsend for a really boring, mostly commercialized place like Cottonwood.
I currently live in Scottsdale for college but I know the first meal I'll be having next time I'm in town will be here at La Bella.Comment from Wayne D. of La Bella Cafe 9/18/2010
thank you for your wonderful review hope to see you again… More » -
Review from Mike O.
Peoria, AZ
9/14/2010
5 stars????
Order iced tea, then ask for lemon, then request sugar. Stir it with your straw! Very limited menu, and I'll admit that can sometimes work fine. Not here. I ordered the Club, my wife ordered the BLT. The ONLY difference was I got bacon. We didn't realize they used a panini press on all their sandwiches - someone should suggest they add the field greens (just like from Safeway) after the heating, not before. Their greens were completely wilted when they arrived.
Oh, yeah, just throw the napkins, knife and fork in the middle of the table, we'll divy them up.
I'm sorry, Wayne must have a lot of relatives writing for Yelp.Comment from Wayne D. of La Bella Cafe 9/18/2010
I thank you for your honest opinion I would love a chance to… More » -
Review from Eric S.
Chevy Chase, MD
4/20/2010
We found this place while visiting my family in Cottonwood, and I desperately needed wi-fi to take care of a work issue. While we'd eaten a huge lunch, we opted for coffee and a slice of cheesecake while we were there. It's a great thing we did, because both were delicious.
Coffee here is served out of a French press for your table. This turned out to be a convenience thing done by the cafe, but it works out well, because it's both classy and produces better coffee. In the times I've been back, I had to have coffee every time as it was so good.
As for the cheesecake, I've had three different flavors from there (they change almost daily), and all were good. My favorite is probably the strawberry, but the mint chocolate and the key lime were also amazing. Sarah does good work on her pies, and apparently she sells them down the street at A Scoop Above as well. I may get them to figure out how to ship one across country, they were so damn good.
And the rest of the food? Well, given how good the pie was, and the conversations we had with Wayne and Sarah (the owners) about their food, we had to grab sandwiches the second time we went. Very, very worth it. Both sandwiches we tried (the Connalee and another one I can't remember) were fantastic. My only complaint is that they do NOT make good car food. Almost all of the spreads, sauces, dressings[0], etc. are made on site, and they don't skimp, making for a tasty, albeit messy sandwich.
No review would be complete without mentioning the atmosphere. I feel comfortable every time I walk in here, and my only complaint is that it's hard to walk out. We ended up talking to other customers, and Wayne and Sarah pretty much every trip. They're incredibly friendly people who will make it hard to remember why you'd want to leave La Bella. This is a nice addition to the Old Town area, and every time I visit Cottonwood, I'm enjoying this stretch of Main Street a bit more.
On a side note, I didn't try either of these but thought it worth mentioning:
-- They do have vegan food, as noted by another reviewer. Apparently La Bella replaced an earlier vegan cafe, and they keep some options open for anyone who misses the old place.
-- Monday is open mic night. Apparently it's a good time, as noted by other customers.
~EEE~
[0] The balsamic vinaigrette is amazing. Might be hard to get it out of a bottle now. -
Review from Jason S.
Cottonwood, AZ
4/21/2010
What an experience! The food here was delicious! What's more, they pay attention to the details! The presentation was top notch. I haven't ate at a restaurant in Cottonwood that was this attentive to it's guests and focused on the little things to make the dining experience enjoyable. This husband and wife team really go the extra mile to take care of you.
Besides the service, the food is delicious! We had brochette for an appetizer, a nice salad with balsamic vinaigrette, and then this delicious chicken wrap for the main course. Amazingly enough, I coudln't get half way through the main course and have room for dessert. What did we have for dessert you ask? A home made snickers cheese cake. Even the crust is home made! It was too die for! I was stuffed by the time I got to the end.
We were so happy with our meal that I am proud to recommend this place to our friends with no reservations. If you have the chance, please take a turn eating at La Bella. -
Review from James D K.
Cottonwood, AZ
4/20/2010
Unbeknown to me, this place has been here since last July! Since I'd been ousted as mayor of Jerona Cafe, I decided I needed to find another coffee house that I could frequent. Mostly I was looking for better food than what they were serving over at Jerona.
And I have to say that I have most assuredly found what I was looking for in the food here at La Bella!
Started with a bowl of French Onion soup. It was nicely done. Flavorful, melty cheese, and soft onions with a nice flavor. My only complaint (which I made directly to chef Wayne) was the bright, green dried parsley that was sprinkled over the plate. It just really distracted from the lovely swirl of thickened vinaigrette on the plate. Hoping he'll take that advice and only put the parsley on the bowl (of course, I personally think he could leave it off the dish completely as it really only adds color, and I'm not sure that french onion needs that. Just my two cents.)
For my main course at lunch I did the unthinkable. I ordered the Ruben sandwich WITH sauerkraut. Now you have to understand that I do not eat sauerkraut. I do not like sauerkraut. I used to wonder why sauerkraut was allowed to exist in this world.
But I also didn't want my first order to be something off menu. I wanted to see what Chef Wayne could do, and how he did it.
Let me just preface my review of the Ruben Sandwich that I "may" now be a converted sauerkraut consumer. If you know me, you know that I've only started eating meat again over the past 9 months or so. Prior to that it had been 26 years since I'd eaten meat.
Back to the Ruben. I feel confident in admitting that this was the very best sandwich I've had in the Verde Valley since I've been living here. In fact, as I think about it, I am putting this sandwich in my top 5 of all time.
Yeah. It was that good! After quite a bit of cajoling, I got Chef Wayne to share with me that he thinks the super secret trick to the sandwich is the fact that he puts the sauerkraut on the grill. And this likely removes much of the moisture from it.
I think this makes the sandwich drier, and might even concentrate the flavors of the Boars Head meat as well.
My only criticism of the dish was the application of that same thick balsamic vinaigrette to the plate. I complain to you reader, not for it being on the plate, but the fact that it got on the bottom of the sandwich and then all over my hands as I picked up each half to eat. I'd prefer to have been able to wipe a bit of the bread I was about to eat with the sauce. This would have allowed my hands to remain a bit cleaner. And this would have kept my keyboard less juicy!
Oh, I almost forgot about the coffee. As stated in other reviews here, La Bella serves a nice carafe of French Press. For me that's just heaven in a mug! Clearly, they choose quality beans which produce a lovely, fruit filled cup of Java.
If you live in the area or are just passing through the Old Town area, definitely consider stopping by for a meal. Or just for some coffee. You'll likely be greeted fondly by Chef Wayne and his wife and co-owner Sarah. And you may just be walk in on a conversation about trout cheese cake. (I'm not sure this will ever make it on the menu, but I did recommend chocolate covered bacon cheese cake. We'll see if that one shows up!)
This just in: I checked with Wayne about whether he sells alcohol. He does not. But the good news is that he does allow patrons to bring in their own wine (and presumably spirits, etc.) And without any sort of corkage fee. So that's a cool thing.
I'm planning on coming in and trying some of the dinner offerings, specifically the flat iron steak. I'm thinking a nice Merlot or maybe a Syrah. -
Review from Lee M.
Livingston, TX
5/14/2010
What a delightful find! The atmosphere is casual and friendly. It's a small place, but the garden patio offers additional seating. Our server (the owners' son) was attentive but not obtrusive.
We had one of the dinner specials, a chicken breast stuffed with pesto, ham, and Parmesan, topped with Alfredo sauce and drizzled with balsamic glaze. The presentation was lovely and the flavor was something special. For dessert we had strawberry cheesecake--homemade and topped with fresh, light, barely sweet whipped cream. It was different from the usual restaurant cheesecake and delicious.
Everything is freshly made, locally sourced and organic if possible, flavorful, and distinctive. The chef is willing to take special requests. The menu is not extensive, but some choices will appeal to everyone, including some limited vegan and vegetarian options.
We'll definitely be back!
Although alcohol is not on the menu, we noticed another table had brought a bottle of wine along. We didn't inquire about the corking fee. -
Review from Celeste T.
Redlands, CA
4/23/2010
Wow,, what an amazing meal! I was in Cottonwood AZ to see Dr. Hawkins speak and I asked the gal at the desk of the hotel where the best food in town was. She recommended La Bella and gave me directions. The little cafe is absolutely darling, it is very casual and cozy with lots of light streaming in the many windows. There is a beautiful garden for sunny day seating, but while I was there it was too cold to sit outside. I would have loved having lunch in the garden surrounded by flowers. The cozy interior was warm and comfortable.
The owner Wayne told me that everything was fresh and homemade. He was very personable and eager to make sure my meal was perfect. Menu choices included Vegan, vegetarian, as well as meat items. I choose the portabella wrap which included a delightful salad.
The salad consisted of healthy greens and the balsamic dressing was exceptionally good.
The portabella wrap was fantastic. It was filled with an abundance of mushrooms, avocados, tomatoes, feta cheese and topped with his balsamic glaze. After my first bite I was in flavor heaven. I have enjoyed many gourmet meals in my life and I can honestly say that this wrap might be one the best meals I have ever eaten. It is obvious that Wayne knows good food!
Now for the price,,,, It was very very inexpensive. This same meal in the town I live in would have cost much much more, so I was completely surprised to pay only $10 for my tea, salad and wrap.
La Bella Cafe is a diamond in the rough. If you ever find yourself in Cottonwood AZ, Sedona, Jerome, or close by, treat yourself to a delicious meal at La Bella. I would love to have a La Bella in my town. It was easily a five star meal. Thank you -
Review from andre d.
Sedona, AZ
10/29/2010
First of all do not read this review if you don't have time because it is long winded but I do not know how to convey what a weird experience we had here without writing a lot...
I have never reviewed a restaurant on yelp mostly because of time constraints but I feel compelled to relate my experience with La Bella Cafe.
I went in there around 11:30 am on Wednesday Oct. 27 with my wife and 18 month old boy.
We entered this cool old house with little to no expectations of anything resembling fine dining. Just a well prepared meal at a quaint homey eatery.
WOW what an uncomfortable experience we had:
First, we walk in and there is nobody around, then a young man with bright pinkish red (picture raggedy andy) hair comes out behind a curtain (that hides a little office and kitchen behind it) dressed in ripped up cut off jeans shorts and a t-shirt sloppily untucked and told us to "sit anywhere you guys want"
So we found the only booth in the place in a corner in front of the aforementioned curtain.
We sit down and he comes out from behind the curtain and hands us three small paper menus.
Since we are with a toddler we immediately scan the menu for appropriate items.
On the back of the menu they recommend their smoothies with a suggestion to build your own smoothie.
We discussed ordering one that was on the menu (a date banana blueberry shake) meanwhile, in the background, I hear a muffled conversation regarding being out of something.
Then when we tried to order one Raggedy Andy responded by mumbling that they are temporarily discontinuing the shakes and smoothies portion of their tiny menu, so I quickly scan down to Fresh Juices and my wife asks for a fresh squeezed orange juice.
He goes back behind the infamous curtain only to return with news that they are out of that as well and he adds that they have not had time to re-stock and have to "go to the store"
so we just order our little one a glass of water and I order a french press coffee and my wife an iced tea.
The french press comes out and when I pour it into my cup it is a very light tan color and tastes stale and is luke warm.
My wife's ice tea is murky and has a handful of ice cubes floating in it.
Both are terrible and we order a sandwich off their specialty list consisting of three sandwiches.
After waiting in an empty restaurant for what seemed to be an hour but was actually almost thirty minutes we decide to leave when we notice a female customer who sits down and orders a coke to which Andy replies "we don't have any soda" so she orders an ice tea.
He goes back behind the curtain and comes out a few moments later to inform the female that they have to brew some fresh tea.
In other words he just served my wife ( who happens to be 10 weeks pregnant) left over ice tea from who knows when.
There is serious danger is saving ice tea because of bacteria build up and at this point we decide to leave without eating.
I tell Raggedy the waiter that we are going to leave and ask what we owe.
He says 13 dollars and I pay him ,leave a 2 dollar tip and walk out all the while still hungy and tasting stale weak coffee on my palate.
So unfortunately I cannot rate the food since I left before tasting anything other than a wilted side salad of mesclun that came out with an unbalanced overly vinegared balsamic vinaigrette that came out 25 minutes before the sandwich we ordered.
I have to say this was one of the most awkward experiences I have ever had in a restaurant. Not to mention the completely unprofessional manner in which everything was handled, THEY CHARGED ME FOR A SANDWICH I NEVER ATE. ( I guess they really needed that extra money to go and buy some supplies!)
I hope that at least I can save someone else from trying this absolute joke of a restaurant!
