Bern’s isn’t the only South Tampa institution that’s stood the test of time. Just a stone’s throw south on Howard is Bella’s Italian Café, a cozy, restaurant that’s been a Tampa favorite since 1986.
Bella’s is a close second to having an Italian grandma. All dishes are made fresh from scratch, including their to-die-for homemade pasta and made-to-order sauces. You’re sure to leave full and won’t break the bank here either. Dinner for two including drinks can easily be had for under $50 and most portions are large enough to share.
We recently stopped by Bella’s to sample some of their classic dishes. Here’s what we recommend trying whether it’s your first or 50th visit.
Drink
Bella Rita
Bella’s has been serving up this margarita/martini hybrid since they opened. It comes with an unexpected garnish: an olive. But it works — the saltiness from the olive balances out the sweetness of the drink.
Start
Tre Funghi Pizza
One of Bella’s popular specialty pizzas, the Tre Funghi is topped with three types of mushroom, mozzarella and Asiago cheese. The secret to their crispy crust? A blazing hot oak-burning stone oven cooks the pizza at temperatures up to 800 degrees. Plus, there’s a little bit of beer in the dough.
Bella’s Famous Chopped Salad
The chopped salad is packed with chicken breast, crispy bacon, sun-dried tomatoes, gorgonzola, ditali pasta and dressed with a Dijon vinaigrette. Yes, there is pasta in this salad. (It’s only fitting that an Italian restaurant puts pasta in a salad.)
Main
Confetti Spaghetti
If you’re craving a big bowl of pasta, this will not disappoint. You can’t go wrong with the confetti spaghetti: Bella’s homemade spaghetti tossed in a creamy basil tomato sauce with fresh tomato, bacon, garlic, onions, basil, and peas.
Nate’s Chicken
This namesake dish of one of Bella’s long-time chefs is a huge portion of two breaded chicken breasts topped with prosciutto, mozzarella and Marsala mushroom sauce, served over a bed of spinach.
Dessert
Chocolate Vesuvio
The Chocolate Vesuvio is a decadent lava cake served warm with a scoop of Blue Bell ice cream. It’s super rich so it’s perfect for sharing. Be sure to ask for extra spoons!
Happy Hour
Regular happy hour is Monday through Friday, from 4 pm to 7 pm. Enjoy 2 for 1 wells, calls and house wines. Bella’s also features a late night happy hour Sunday through Thursday, 11pm to close and Friday & Sat, 12am to close. Enjoy 2 for 1 wells, calls and house wines as well as half-priced pizzas and calzones.
To keep up with specials and promotions, be sure to follow Bella’s on Facebook and Twitter.
Images via Bella’s Italian Cafe Facebook Page.
About the Author
Kerry Jones is a Tampa-based marketer and blogger. When she’s not experimenting in her kitchen, she’s trying to make her cat the next viral sensation. Check out her food and wellness blog, Snark and Pepper.
Leave a Reply