Bistro Bella Vita

While dishes are clearly mark led as GF pasta and GF pizza , it is NOT SAFE FOR celiac…they boil the GF pasta in the SAME water as the regular pasta. When asked, they were unwilling to boil separately. The pastas and pizzas are a pretty large part of their menu but they do have a few gf entrees. Overall we probably wouldn’t eat here again because that would give me concern about their willingness or concern about other items being prepared despite the labeling.

Safety Feature Ratings

• Food comes out flagged or marked gluten-free

2023: I just went here again last night, still no issues. I empathize with the other reviewer who was frustrated about the "non-celiac" labeling for the pizza & pasta, but I have ordered the beef, chicken, pork & salmon entrees many times with no issues. 2022: I've gone here regularly with my family over the last 3 years, and have never had an issue! Staff has always been accomodating & food is consistently delicious.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

I ate here last night. After reading the review mentioning the gluten free past and pizza not being celiac safe, I was concerned. However, I felt this was one of the best dining experiences I have had since my diagnosis 3 years ago. While they do cook their gluten free pasta in the same gluten water (which is a really weird choice), they do very clearly mark that the pasta and pizza which is prepped in the same location as gluten pizza as not celiac safe. Additionally the first thing the waiter asked was if anyone had dietary restrictions and as soon as I said celiac he explained not to order pizza or pasta but the other menu items marked gf were celiac safe. He noted it on my order and was extremely careful. Additionally my food was brought out separately hand carried away from the other gluten food at my table. The chicken was the best thing I have eaten in years and I had no issues! Love this place!!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free space in the kitchen
• Other dedicated kitchen equipment (oven, toaster, pots, pans, utensils, etc.)
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked
• Food comes out flagged or marked gluten-free

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

The food here is good and there are foods that can be accommodated as “ GF”, however, the pasta and the pizza are marked “non-celiac”. They utilize the same surfaces for pizza (ok, fine), but they also use the SAME WATER for gluten free and regular pasta!! The risk of cc is extremely high even with the “GF” foods and unfortunately unsafe for any celiac. I did ask if they would be able to try to limit cc (ie get a fresh pot of water for Pasta) and was told “no”. She even asked the chef.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Not at all

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much/None

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Average

Staff was very helpful and knowledgeable. I’ve ate here about 5 times now. Never had an issue.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Menu clearly marked. Waitstaff friendly, attentive, knew exactly which items would be safe. Delicious beef burgundy, salad. I am very sensitive Celiac and had no problem

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good selection of healthy options

I have celiac disease and have eaten numerous times at Bistro without getting sick. That being said, I am very careful about what I order (usually a soup/bisque and salad), and I always ask the server to talk to the kitchen about my celiac and cross-contamination.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Good tasted good and they seemed to be super aware of how to prep for celiac, but I was so sick after eating there. Huge bummer.

Celiac friendly?

No

Good knowledge of ingredients and a straight forward menu. Quality dishes with balanced palates and local sources. It’d be great to see a pasta or bread/bun option.

Ate here during a recent trip to Grand Rapids. The print menu has more options than the online version, and the food was quite good. I got the duck entree, and after ordering it one of the kitchen staff came out to inform me that the egg that comes with the dish was cooked on the flat iron grill, which may be subject to cross contamination, but that they could pan-fry it if needed. I was quite grateful for that, and had no issues.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Lovely restaurant, delicious food and the best service. They are always so friendly and attentive. Their gf menu could be a bit better but we still love Bistro!

The staff is knowledgeable. I'm Celiac and they will alert the kitchen as to that so they take special care in the food preparation for those with Celiac. Nice decor as well with dinner selections.

Nice options and good staff!! I am a sensitive celiac and never have problems here.

Great menu and always helpful!

Excellent choices. I had the Paella and my son had the samon. Both were excellent. I can't recommend the antipasto. That was disappointing. but service was fantastic and our server was very knowledgeable.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Never disappointed.

Really amazing food!! Separate gf menu. Salmon was fantastic. Bit expensive, but totally worth it.

One of my fave gf restaurants. Have eaten here a couple of times. A bit pricey, but delicious food and they are very knowledgeable about gluten issues. Highly recommend!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Celiac friendly?

Yes

One of my fave places to eat in GR. The risotto and pork tenderloin is very, very good. Staff is extremely accommodating and knowledgeable.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Very acomadating and aware of allergy conerns. They have a sepetate gluten free menu that was brouht to me, that had plenty of options for apetizers and entrees. I was not limited at all. I also have a casein allergy and the server (Tom) was very aware and notices all conflicts their might be in the kitchen and even knew without comment to avoid butter. All of there servers seemed to be very aware of the kitchen, and ingredients in each item. Its a bit pricey, we spend $80 on 2 people, but food and atmosphere makes it completely worth it! I highly recommend Bistro Bella Vita! it is very easy to eat there gluten & dairy free, which really says alot. (My date who is able to eat whatever he wants, was equally impressed with the quality of food here!)