It's food o'clock
Sharon Grealey3/06/2009 12:00:00 a.m.
La Bella Italia, 101 The Terrace.
THE food at La Bella Italia is so good, it’s just as well the restaurant, which has two branches on The Terrace and in Petone, serves everything on its menu all day.
Owner Antonio Cacace says in Italy people don’t have set times to eat, and rather indulge when they are hungry. He wants to introduce this tradition to New Zealand.
I shared an insalata caprese originale starter of tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, Sicilian dried oregano and olive oil on taralli bread.
The buffalo mozzarella imported from Italy is a perfect combination with the tomatoes and olive oil-drizzled bread.
For mains I ordered the chargrilled loin of lamb with roasted vegetables and salmoriglio salsa plus the recommended glass of Nero d’Avola wine.
The lamb was perfect – tender and smothered in flavoursome herbs.
My date says his slow braised beef in barolo wine with spinach and puy lentils was hearty, tender and satisfying.
The meals were perfectly proportioned so I had room for dessert. I ordered gelato affogato al caffé – vanilla gelato with a shot of hot espresso.
It was served in a dainty cocktail glass and the hot coffee mixed with cold vanilla gelato was an absolutely delightful combination.
The caffarel chocolate and Armagnac prunes with hazelnut meringue was so delicious my date found it difficult to share.
We attempted to use some of the Italian lingo outlined on the menu and our helpful waiter took the time to explain pronunciation and talk to us about Italy.
I want to go back.
THE food at La Bella Italia is so good, it’s just as well the restaurant, which has two branches on The Terrace and in Petone, serves everything on its menu all day.
Owner Antonio Cacace says in Italy people don’t have set times to eat, and rather indulge when they are hungry. He wants to introduce this tradition to New Zealand.
I shared an insalata caprese originale starter of tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, Sicilian dried oregano and olive oil on taralli bread.
The buffalo mozzarella imported from Italy is a perfect combination with the tomatoes and olive oil-drizzled bread.
For mains I ordered the chargrilled loin of lamb with roasted vegetables and salmoriglio salsa plus the recommended glass of Nero d’Avola wine.
The lamb was perfect – tender and smothered in flavoursome herbs.
My date says his slow braised beef in barolo wine with spinach and puy lentils was hearty, tender and satisfying.
The meals were perfectly proportioned so I had room for dessert. I ordered gelato affogato al caffé – vanilla gelato with a shot of hot espresso.
It was served in a dainty cocktail glass and the hot coffee mixed with cold vanilla gelato was an absolutely delightful combination.
The caffarel chocolate and Armagnac prunes with hazelnut meringue was so delicious my date found it difficult to share.
We attempted to use some of the Italian lingo outlined on the menu and our helpful waiter took the time to explain pronunciation and talk to us about Italy.
I want to go back.
