Editor’s Note: Fork & Dagger is 828newsNOW’s anonymous restaurant review series, written by our independent Grub Scout—no freebies, no press perks, no agenda. Grub Scout pays full price, visits unannounced, and takes notes on food, service, atmosphere, and value. Each review reflects a recent, honest experience rated on our 1‑to‑5 fork scale. We aim to help you discover standout dining spots—from casual diners to white‑tablecloth affairs—one bite at a time.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — This week, I visited yet another two-decade-old restaurant I had never been to before. Why hadn’t I? I suppose it was because Bellagio Bistro seemed like just another family-style Mediterranean joint … and that’s exactly what it is.
The decor leaves a lot to be desired, just as the name and logo do. Not that many Greek and Italian places offer much better aesthetics. Only with fine dining do you see more of an effort in that department with said cuisine.
I was in the mood for lamb gyro, so I got the Greek platter. It was fine. Everything was as one would expect, the lamb was a bit dry, the salad was a boring diner-style. You know, leaf lettuce, julienne carrots, one olive and one pepperoncini, no feta, just shredded … mozzarella? Who knows? The dressing and the tzadziki sauce were great, I’ll give them that. The diner fries were diner fries.
I also decided to order a Mediterranean pizza, just to have around for a few days. Though it wasn’t that great, it was somewhat different and good in its own way. The crust was dense and a little too thick for my tastes. It was the kind that tastes like it’s undercooked. That I can forgive, since many people enjoy that style. There was no sauce, just olive oil, diced tomatoes, mozzarella and a hefty serving of chicken breast. That, my friends, is why I’ll call this “healthy protein pizza.” I mean, I’m telling you there was a whole chicken’s worth of breast on this thing. Pretty impressive to someone who’s obsessed with getting enough protein.
Of all the places to get Mediterranean food in Asheville, Bellagio Bistro is certainly one of them. The portions are generous, the prices are reasonable and the food is perfectly OK.
