Ballo Italian Restaurant - Uncasville, Connecticut

Stephanie T.

Made reservations and arrived to NOT be greeted by the hostess. NOTHING, no eye contact no words, not even follow me to be seated. Weird and extremely off- putting. We sat down, greeted by a server. Then another server came over, introduced himself (apparently there was a shift change) and he was amazing. Two thumbs up for Brandon!! Fun, charismatic, very engaging and knowledgeable! He knew the menu, and was helpful with wine pairing. We had caesar salads and the specials: 'lasagna' done in a bechamel sauce with pork, homemade pasta, butternut squash - party in your mouth amazing!! My dining companion thoroughly enjoyed the Cacciucco (seafood 'stew'). During the meal, the bus person asked my companion to take his dish while he was still eating, then came back five minutes later and asked again, to take the dish. This was not warranted (restaurant was not busy, and not close to closing time) and received as bold and intrusive.
Food and atmosphere - excellent. Thank goodness for Brandon, he saved the dining experience for the evening, because fine dining should be an experience, not just food on a plate. Brandon understands the assignment.

Carter W.

We got chicken parm, ceaser salad, spaghetti, and the truffle mac and cheese. Everything was delicious! Really good salad and parm. The truffle mac in the cheese wheel was off menu but looked so cool and was actually delicious! Highly recommend if you go to get that

Bryan L.

Drove to Mohegan on a whim after work because what not?

Ballo Italian Kitchen and Bar caught my eye from the other places because of the (even on a Thursday) lively bar and bustling seating.

The bartenders are fun, attentive and insanely good at their job. Multitasking around food orders, drink orders and needed prep while still being engaging is not easy and they made it look like second nature.

I started with a glass of Black Stallion Chardonnay which was great with the prosciutto app, two slices of toasted bread piled HIGH with great quality meat, soft ricotta cheese and an incredible spicy honey sauce. I admittedly did fork and knife it like a heathen but it easily could have been a shared finger food for a couple.

My entree was the broken lasagna, a heaping portion of short rib ragu over ribbon noodles reminiscent of that middle lasagna piece that never comes out quite whole but in the best way possible. In a world where it is SO EASY to overcook or dry out shirt rib, this was neither. The Basil Hayden's old fashioned that I paired with it was great and I would recommend to any whiskey lover.

The tiramisu I finished with was also flawless. Light, airy but with the flavor of the coffee heavy on it. Could have been shared but I was alone so I had to take one for the team and finish it myself.

A rare five star first visit.

Patricia B.

We stayed at Mohegan Sun recently and wanted a nice Italian meal to celebrate our 30th anniversary. Everything was top notch. Our server was very friendly and checked on us throughout our meal. We had the meatball appetizer, I had spicy rigatoni and my husband had the broiled shrimp with a bed of spinach. They even gave us a courtesy glass of champagne for our anniversary. We ended the dinner with some made to order zeppoli with a nice cream on the side and coffee. Would definitely recommend and will go again when we are back in the area.

S S.

Michelin-star restaurant prices, high school cafeteria quality with kids menu portions. I was charged $33 for a 3 ounces breaded chicken breast with Ragu sauce; does not include any sides, pasta, not even a slice of bread. OK with spending money on good food but when I’m spending that type of money, I expect quality. The service and bartenders were very nice and attentive, but still doesn’t offset the high cost for quality. You’re better off going to Pizza Hut.

Gary N.

I’ve eaten at Ballo one other time in 2016, and it was decent, so I figured I’d give it another try, but tonight I wasn’t impressed.

We sat at our table for 25 minutes before anyone came to take our order, and then 2 tables were sat next to us, and they took those tables orders before taking ours. I ordered Sparkling Water, and they brought it to the table next to us, who seemed delighted to get free $12 sparkling water, as they were a higher class than us, and wearing nicer clothing (maybe they’re regulars or something, or influencers doing a reel for them, idk) That table was treated like they were royalty, and like influencers like the NYCVIPgirls, and Burkin Boys. Maybe they were somebody special, but that’s how all customers should be treated. That rubbed me the wrong way, because it starts to feel like they treat some people like high class, and then others as low class.

As far as the food, it was good, but I ordered my steak medium well, and it was as rare as can be. I ate in anyways, and I’ll admit, it was amazing. Normally rare steak makes me grossed out, but this one had some kind of seasons infused in it, where it was delightful. Our waiter was a nice guy and all, but it rubbed me the wrong way how the table next to me was being treated like celebrities (not by the waiter, but other staff in the establishment) (and it wasn’t the waiter’s fault with the Sparkling Water, it was the bar delivering it to wrong table, and the table accepting it because they’re such big time people they get free stuff), when all they ordered was one lasagna and split it, and my dinner order was almost $200, and that table got my sparkling water. I didn’t make any issues out of it, and I even paid the $12 because I didn’t feel like waiting to have the check redone. Also the prices on the menu were wrong, and the Steak was $5 more than the menu said, and then there’s a $12 Mohegan Sun Tax on our bill. Like wtf is that? Don’t order the olives and Parmesan, it’s a waste of money. $14 for 2 meatballs seems ridiculous. My steak was $61, the menu said $57. $4 for the special butter. And then we paid $12 for bread, $9 for olives and Parmesan, and $57 for Lobster Spaghetti.

I ate at Old Homestead Steakhouse at the Borgata in AC and the service was far better and the food much better, for the same price range, and actually cheaper. That’s how the service should be here for the price you’re paying, but the service here is like a Chili’s. The service at Old Homestead was better than places like Joseph’s Steakhouse. It’s like those private Steak Clubs in NYC, for the same price as this place. I was expecting this place to be like Carmines in NYC, and I’m being fair to the establishment, they’re overcharging for the experience they’re providing. That’s my take on it. I’m not saying it’s bad or anything, but all the Restaurants in Mohegan seem to fall short if you’re expecting a Michelin Star experience. (I’ve never eaten at Tao or Michael Jordan’s so they’re exempt from this statement).

All in all, the restaurant is beautiful, but it’s kind of a ripoff, but the food is good. The staff is friendly but you’re not getting that Michelin Star service you would expect paying these prices, unless you’re the table that was next to us for some reason. Maybe it’s because we didn’t have a reservation, or because we were casually dressed because we were just venturing through the Casino, and decided to eat here on a whim.

I can say confidently, I won’t give this place another try because I just don’t like the nickel and diming, and the service should be like a David Burke Steakhouse, or like Hells Kitchen if you’re charging Michelin Star prices. Definitely not Michelin Star quality service but you’re paying Michelin Star prices.

All in all, the food is great, the restaurant is beautiful, and you’ll have a good time, but expect sticker shock when you get the bill, and don’t expect to be treated like a king, unless you come in looking like an influencer with a million followers.

Lucy M.

My husband and I went for celebration of my birthday 🎉we had trouble finding parking so I got dropped off not to miss our reservation time
I met Jessica who seated me and Pedro who took our order for mussels, broken lasagna, and chicken scalloping.
Everything was awesome 👏 😎 and we were very 🥹 grateful!🙌🏽
Paul and Evan were good too!
Regally loved 🥰 to return for next special occasion, our 16 year anniversary!💕🙏

David V.

The cheese wheel is sooo good. They cook the pasta right in front of you! Steak was perfectly cooked and seasoned. The fried mozzarella in orange tomato sauce was delicious! Love this place