On my 40th birthday, I finally got to eat at the local Italian restaurant I've been wanting to try out ever since they replaced one of my favorite Mediterranean restaurants, Joumana's Mediterranean Cuisine I have received many excellent recommendations to try out Trattoria Bella, and all of them are true. This Italian restaurant is amazing.
First and foremost, it must be stressed when driving up to Trattoria Bella (which I will shorthand to TB for the remainder of the review), there is that feel of being at a roadsite trattoria in Italy. Kudos to anyone, such as I, who've eaten at a traditional trattoria in Italy like I've had. It has more sophistication and class than an osteria but more casual than a ristorante. For us "uncultured Americans," you can relate Trattoria Bella to a fast casual restaurant (Panera Bread is the pioneer of the concept in the United States), more sophisticated than fast food (McDonald's, Burger King, etc.), but more casual than a full-service restaurant (Outback, Red Lobster, etc.).
That is the best way I can relate TB to the American eatery scene, but that is still an injustice as TB is leagues ahead of any fast casual restaurant I have ever eaten at.
You have the choice to eat outside, which can be debilitating during the Florida summer months yet kind of romantic at night with the mood string lights and highlighted mural on the eastern wall of the building, or inside that has some Italian-familiar albeit possibly stereotypical tropes.
Given the fact that this is my first time here, I did take note of the specials but decided to order from the menu. For an appetizer, you will get Italian bread with butter. I love the presentation of serving it in a cleaned large can of tomatoes. We also got a trio of foods usually served on Italian streets: beef aranccini (fried risotto rice balls with beef inside), pizzette (small pizza), and calamari understandly titled "Italian Street Food."
For the main course, my family ordered the following, which I will separate and detail:
1. Potato and Marscapone: Home-made Ravioli Filled with Potato and Mascarpone, Tallegio Cheese Fonduta, Aromatic Breadcrumbs, Red Wine & Balsamic Reduction.
2. Pistachio-Crusted Salmon: A salmon with a pistachio crust served with vegetable caponata, salsa verde.
3. Butternut Squash Ravioli: Homemade butternut squash ravioli, butter and sage, Grana Padano cheese, crispy Brussels sprouts.
4. Spaghetti Frutti di Mare: Literally translates to "Fruit of the Sea Spaghetti." Spaghetti served with clams, mussels, calamari, shrimp, spicy tomato sauce.
5. Four Cheese Pasta: Probably TB's signature meal. Penne Pasta, Four Cheese Sauce, Italian Sausage, Crumble Pistachio, Finished in a Pecorino Cheese Wheel.
Needless to say but we "shared each other's meals," and everything was "excellente."
To conclude our meal, we did order dessert. We decided to do a round table in which they had a special featuring four of their desserts in smaller servings. They include the tiramisu (my favorite), canolli, panna cotta, and limoncello cake. Just like the rest of the food, it is delicious and a great way to end the night.
On a sidenote, the restrooms were clean and also had stereotypical Italian troupes. Still fits the atmosphere.
Excellent food, expect to pay a higher price on food... and that is what I did. The average of food was around $30 per plate. Still worth it though and I will definitely be back to eat more of their food. Got to see if TB earns their consistency star. read more