I've been coming here for years. I love how it is nestled into a strip mall. I think I was shopping at one of those hard core places like TJ Maxx where you have to scour through everything when I was so hungry I thought I was going to faint. I stopped in here for a quick bite and ordered the cucumber and onion salad. I was so shocked at how it was just like my mothers I've been going back ever since.
Today I had one of their specialties, the Gorgonzola Chicken per our servers suggestion. Not something I would usually order, but it was particularly good, rich and filling. The sauce was a great consistency, the Gorgonzola was not over powering. Just the right combination of flavors.
I was really hungry so I had a Mista salad, very refreshing and tangy. And not just that ladies and gentleman, but I also had the aioli y olio. The garlic was sliced thin and toasted just the way it should be. The angel hair was al dente.
The punk had the spaghetti, great big portion for kids! They put the sauce on the side which I thought was a great touch for kids. She loved it and frankly, so did I! Yes, I ate some of hers also.
Mom came with us for the gluten-free pasta. She really liked her dish of rolled eggplant with a side of meatballs. It came with pasta on the side, so she ordered the GF Penne. It came loaded with plenty of sauce, the way I like it. The meatballs are firmer than sauce dropped, but had a superior flavor. And, yes, I ate one of her meatballs.
Mr. Particular had the meatball sub with the cucumber and onion salad. He ate it all without complaint, which is rather astonishing. It seems he always has some way to improve. The bread looks as if it is made in house, crusty and perfectly toasted to a perfect brown.
Fast eater daughter, had the half order of the pesto pasta. What a ridiculous amount for a half order. A whole order might feed an average person for a week. You can order the preparation style on any pasta you choose. She chose the penne. I'd have to say it was coated well, but not swamped which is good with a pesto. It was not at all greasy like pesto can be. And yes, I managed to get a bite before it was gone.
The punk then ordered the chocolate cake, which if you look at the picture, it was half gone before I got the snapshot. That cake was amazing. I've never really had cake like that. It sort of melted in your mouth but left a great after taste. Not even sure how you can do that with chocolate cake. I'm not really a dessert fan, but I may have to go back just for that cake. So by now, you can see that I could barely get up and walk out since I ate everything!
Mom had the spumoni, which I learned something new, spumoni is only 4 flavors, cherry, pistachio, chocolate and vanilla. What a beautiful presentation. It comes in a wedge with an interesting design. Check out the picture. I actually didn't try that but it was gone and I think Mom was the only one who ate any. Suffice it to say, it must have been delicious.
Overall, this is a great place to stop in for a long lingering lunch in the afternoon. Have a cold glass of Italian Pinot Grigio which is a huge pour. No skimping there. Eat slowly and enjoy yourself, watch the shoppers stroll by. Try to go with others that know how to savor flavors and not rush you through this meal. I guess I'm saying, this place make you want to eat Italian style.
Amazing food and great staff. The owner is so hospitable. I had the veal parmigiana and was so impressed. Their red sauce is to die for.
Love this place, excellent food with an old-school Italian deli feel. It’s like eating on the set of the Sopranos haha Food is A+
Anytime I am in the desert I want to visit Bella Cucina for it’s delicious Italian food. Small place but not small in flavor
We absolutely loved it!! We were a party of 5 including our 4 year old son. Tony and his wife Elena treated us like we were family coming to visit from out of town. They truly do put their hearts into their food and service. Every dish was absolute perfection from the pastas to the seafood to the amazing Canoli and homemade spumoni. It was truly a wonderful dining "experience".
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