Bella's Italian Cafe

Antipasti

• Anatra e Fichi Focaccia$10.99

  Braised duck and fig jam with goat cheese.

• Caprese$10.99

  Fresh mozzarella, fresh basil leaves and vine-ripened beefsteak tomatoes with a drizzle of pesto.

• Carpaccio$14.99

  Best in Tampa! Marinated paper-thin tenderloin served chilled with caponata aioli: A blend of mayonnaise, sour cream, finely chopped eggplant, roasted red pepper, garlic, olives, capers and basil. Topped with shaved parmesan and a sprinkling of cracked pepper and parsley. Served with garlic butter croutons.

• Formaggio al Forno$10.50

  Baked goat cheese in reduced bruschetta sauce; served with wedges of toasted garlic bread for dipping.

• Arancini$8.99

  Creamy risotto, porcini mushroom, prosciutto and peas formed into balls and filled with mozzarella, then lightly breaded and deep fried. Served with reduced bruschetta sauce for dipping.

• Rolatini Melanzane$9.99

  Lightly breaded baked eggplant filled with prosciutto, sweet ricotta and smoked mozzarella. Served in a pool of reduced bruschetta sauce.

• Scampi Scampi$10.99

  Shrimp sautéed with garlic, scallions, crushed red pepper and tomatoes; reduced in a dry vermouth and shrimp-stock sauce. Served with buttery croutons for dipping.

• Fritti di Calamari

  Calamari dusted in seasoned flour and deep fried; served with reduced bruschetta sauce.

  • Small$10.99
  • Large$17.99

• Bruschetta$5.99

  "brew SKet' tah." In Italian, 'ch' is generally pronounced 'k, ' as in 'Chianti'. The Neopolitan version of classic Roman garlic bread. Slices of bread brushed with olive oil and toasted dark on the grill; topped with our fresh bruschetta sauce of diced plum tomatoes, garlic, onions, parsley and basil.

Zuppe

• Panna D'aragosta

  Creamy lobster bisque with flavors of saffron, tarragon and thyme; topped with puff pastry and baked. Finished table side with a garnish of caviar and sour cream. (Cup size is bisque only).

  • Cup$6.99
  • Bowl$9.99

• Pasta e Fagioli

  Classic Italian pasta and bean soup with bacon, onion, ham, celery, garlic and tomato.

  • Cup$5.25
  • Bowl$7.50

• Zuppa D'asparagi

  A creamy asparagus soup without the cream. Made with house-made vegetable stock and topped with mascarpone cheese.

  • Cup$5.25
  • Bowl$7.50

• Tortellini in Brodo

  House-made chicken stock with cheese tortellini; finished with a dusting of freshly grated parmesan.

  • Cup$5.25
  • Bowl$7.50

Pizze E Calzone

Bella's genuine oak-burning stone oven-crafted in Milan, Italy-cooks at temperatures between 600 and 800 degrees. It adds a subtle but distinct flavor to our roasted dishes and is without question the ideal oven for making pizza. Our pizza dough is made with beer from an original Venitian recipe; brushing the dough with olive oil before baking gives the crust an extra light and crispy texture. Calzones have ricotta added.

• Melanzane$13.99

  Fresh eggplant, calamata olives, capers and red onion with Romano and fresh mozzarella.

• Meatball$13.99

  Bella's hand-made meatballs, onions and sweet peppers with mozzarella.

• Pollo e Formaggio$12.99

  Oak-fire roasted chicken with fresh spinach leaves, fontina cheese, artichoke hearts and diced ripe tomato.

• Margherita$10.99

  Mozzarella, parmesan and tomato sauce with fresh basil. The closest thing to an "American" pizza.

• Genoa$11.50

  Rich and flavorful, with pesto, ricotta, romano and mozzarella. A great appetizer for a small group, or a meal in itself.

• Pazzo Pazzo$14.99

  Italians would call this a "crazy crazy" pizza: Too many ingredients! But we Americans love it. Pepperoni, sausage, pepperoncini, onions and mushrooms topped with mozzarella.

• Tre Funghi$10.99

  Porcini, portobello and button mushroom mix with asiago and mozzarella.

• Create Your Own Pizza or Calzone$12.99

  With mozzarella and pizza sauce plus any three of the following. Anchovy, Artichoke Hearts, Asiago, Bacon, Basil, Broccoli, Capers, Fontina, Fresh Mozzarella ($2), Goat Cheese ($2), Grilled Chicken, Ham, Italian Sausage, Meatballs, Mushrooms, Olives, Onions, Parmesan, Pepperoncini, Pepperoni, Pesto, Prosciutto ($2), Ricotta, Romano, Spinach, Sun-dried Tomato, Tomatoes, Daiya vegan cheese ($1.75).

Insalate

All of our salads are made with only hand-torn greens, and dressings are made fresh in house (except for low-cal Ranch and Balsamic Vinaigrette). Our salads and pasta dishes can be enhanced with freshly grated Grana Padana parmesan, which lends a wonderful flavor and nutty aroma; ask your server for more information. Add 5 oz. Roasted Salmon, $7.50. Add 5 oz. Grilled Chicken Breast, $3.50. Add 4 oz. Sautéed Shrimp, $5.99. Add Anchovies $1.50.

• Bella's Famous Chopped Salad

  A Tampa favorite. Finely chopped chicken breast, crumbled bacon, diced tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, shredded red cabbage, gorgonzola, ditali pasta and romaine all tossed in a dijon vinaigrette.

  • Small$9.50
  • Large$14.95

• Bella's Cafe$4.99

  Romaine topped with julienne carrot, shredded red cabbage, ripe tomato wedges and zucchini slices. Your choice of vinaigrette, low-cal ranch, blue cheese, balsamic vinaigrette, or honey-mustard dressing.

  • As a Side$3.99

• Sweet and Sour Strawberry

  Mixed field greens tossed with fresh strawberries, toasted almonds, fontina and asiago cheeses in a sweet and sour sesame dressing.

  • Small$9.50
  • Large$14.99

• Insalata Mista

  Romaine tossed with shredded red cabbage, hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, pimiento and parmesan; dressed in a creamy vinaigrette.

  • Small$6.50
  • Large$10.99

• Caesar

  Made traditionally with a dressing of only the finest ingredients: olive oil, garlic, worcestershire, mustard, lemon juice, egg and finely ground anchovy paste; tossed with shredded parmesan, croutons and hand-torn romaine.

  • Small$6.50
  • Large$10.99

Secondi

All served with your choice of angel hair or penne with basil-tomato sauce, roasted rosemary potatoes, buttered peas or steamed broccoli. Side of fettuccine alfredo $3.50 - Additional charge for sauce change.

Melanzane - Eggplant

• Melanzane Parmigiana$19.99

  Layers of fresh eggplant and Swiss cheese baked with basil-tomato sauce. Topped with parmesan and fresh mozzarella cheeses and finished with reduced bruschetta sauce.

Il Mare - From the Sea

• Grouper Piccata$23.99

  Sautéed in a lemon, caper and white-wine butter sauce.

• Grouper alla Calabrese$24.99

  Fresh grouper lightly floured and sautéed in a sauce of basil tomato, red wine, onions, garlic, capers, black olives and crushed red pepper.

• Salmon al Forno$19.99

  Maple-amaretto glazed salmon baked on a cedar plank in the oak-fired oven.

• Fritti di Calamari$17.50

  A very generous portion of calamari dusted in seasoned flour and deep fried; served with reduced bruschetta sauce.

Petti di Pollo

All of our chicken is free range, all natural and hormone free.

• Salsa Piccata$18.99

  Two chicken breasts sautéed in a lemon, caper and white-wine butter sauce.

• Salsa Marsala$19.99

  Two sautéed chicken breasts in a creamy marsala and mushroom sauce.

• Salsa Parmigiana$20.99

  Two chicken breasts sautéed and topped with basil-tomato sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.

  • Romano Style$23.99

• Pollo Romano$20.99

  Chicken breasts breaded in romano cheese and sautéed golden brown. Topped with lemon-basil butter and artichoke.

• Nate's Chicken$26.99

  Two chicken breasts breaded in romano cheese and sautéed golden brown; topped with mozzarella cheese and crispy prosciutto in a creamy marsala mushroom sauce. Served on a bed of sautéed spinach.

• Pollo alla Giovanna$22.99

  Two chicken breasts breaded in Romano cheese and sautéed golden brown with fresh eggplant and mozzarella. Served in light basil-tomato cream sauce with bits of prosciutto.

Vitello - Veal

• Salsa Marsala$30.99

  Veal scallopini sautéed in a creamy marsala and mushroom sauce.

• Salsa Piccata$29.99

  Veal scallopini sautéed in a lemon, caper and white-wine butter sauce.

• Salsa Parmigiana$30.99

  Veal scallopini sautéed and topped with basil-tomato sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.

  • Romano Style$33.99

• Nate's Veal$34.99

  Veal scallopini breaded in romano cheese and sautéed golden brown, topped with mozzarella cheese and crispy prosciutto in a creamy marsala mushroom sauce. Served on a bed of sautéed spinach.

Paste Della Casa

We make our own pasta fresh daily-spaghetti, ravioli, linguine, angel hair, lasagne, fettuccine, penne and starburst-the same way it's been done for centuries: From semolina (made from Durham wheat), eggs and water. Served "al dente." Our sauces are also fresh and homemade-and not cooked until ordered (with the exception of the Bolognese and Anatra Ragu).

• Tortellini con Pignoli e Noci$17.99

  Cheese-filled tortellini with a delectable sauce of pine nuts, walnuts, shallots, white wine, asiago and cream.

• Fichi e Pollo Penne$18.99

  Chicken, fig jam, tre-funghi and spinach in brandy cream sauce.

• Pollo Rosso$16.99

  Chunks of chicken breast reddened with hot spices and "blackened" in a very hot pan; sautéed with scallions and mushrooms, then reduced in a creamy basil-tomato sauce with fresh tomato and tossed with fettuccine.

• Pera Sachet$19.99

  Pasta 'purses' filled with pear, robiola, ricotta and parmesan cheeses. Served in a creamy saffron sauce with peas.

• Spaghetti and Meatballs$19.99

  An all-American favorite. A flavorful mixture of ground beef, prosciutto, soppressata (a lean pork salami), romano, garlic and herbs; served over spaghetti with reduced bruschetta sauce. Garnished with parmesan and parsley.

• Ravioli Verde$15.99

  Spinach pasta filled with spinach, ricotta and Swiss cheese; tossed in your choice of sauce.

• Pollo Milano$19.99

  Chunks of chicken breast in a sauce of roasted garlic, heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh sage. Served over starburst pasta with a garnish of reduced balsamic vinegar and a fresh sage leaf.

• Anatra Porcini Ragu$19.99

  Braised duck breast with a porcini mushroom blend and prosciutto; tossed with fettuccine and finished with parmesan shards.

• Confetti Spaghetti$16.99

  A colorful South Tampa favorite. Spaghetti tossed in a creamy basil-tomato sauce with fresh tomato, bacon, garlic, onions, basil, parsley and green peas.

• Bella Luna$18.99

  Original recipe of half-moon pasta filled with asparagus, ham, fontina, ricotta and sun-dried tomatoes. Served in roasted-tomato cream sauce.

• Salciccia al Forno$17.99

  Italian sausage tossed with penne pasta, mushrooms and ricotta in a creamy tomato sauce; topped with mozzarella and baked.

• Lasagne con Pollo$19.99

  Layers of freshly made sheet pasta, grilled chicken, spinach, portobello, porcini and button mushrooms, mozzarella, ricotta and asiago cheeses. Served with roasted-tomato cream sauce.

• Mezzaluna al Forno$19.99

  Lobster mezzaluna with cream, mushroom and leeks; topped with buttered breadcrumbs and browned until golden.

• Pasta Il Mare$21.99

  Shrimp and scallops sautéed with roasted mushrooms and leeks in roasted-tomato cream sauce. Tossed with bowtie pasta.

Create Your Own Combination

Spaghetti, Linguine, Fettuccine, Penne, Bow Tie, Starburst, Angel Hair, Farro Wheat Linguine (add $2.99). Add 5 oz. Roasted Salmon, $7.50. Add 5 oz. Grilled Chicken Breast, $3.50. Add 4 oz. Sautéed Shrimp, $5.99. Add Meatballs, 3 for $5.99 or 6 for $9.99.

• Basil Tomato$11.99

  Plum tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, parsley and basil. Fresh and simple.

• Bolognese$14.99

  A rich sauce of ground beef, onions, celery, carrots and garlic simmered for 5 hours with white wine, milk and ground plum tomatoes.

• Alfredo$13.99

  Thick and rich, with heavy cream, garlic, parmesan and romano cheeses and a dash of nutmeg.

• Bruschetta$12.99

  A bit heavier than basil tomato, with diced plum tomatoes, garlic, onions, parsley and basil.

• Pesto$12.99

  Classic pesto of puréed fresh basil, parsley, garlic, olive oil, parmesan, romano and pine nuts.

• Roasted-Tomato Cream$12.99

  Made with an intensely flavored purée of roasted plum tomatoes, herbs and heavy cream.

• Aglio e Olio$9.99

  Olive oil, butter and garlic tossed with fresh parsley.

Dolci

• Vesuvio$6.99

  Molten bittersweet Belgian chocolate "oozes" from inside an intensely rich warm chocolate cake. Dusted with powdered sugar and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

• Raspberry Crème Brûlée$4.99

  Vanilla-bean custard with sweet raspberries topped with a thin, crispy shell of caramelized sugar.

• Tiramisu$6.99

  "Pick me up" - The classic Italian dessert with layers of lady fingers, zabaglione (Marsala-flavored custard), espresso whipped cream and mascarpone (sweet, buttery cheese) topped with whipped cream and warm chocolate sauce.

• Affogato$4.99

  Scoop of vanilla ice cream served with a shot of espresso.

• Gelato$5.99

  Daily selection.

• Seasonal Crisp$6.99

  Seasonal fruit baked with a buttery oatmeal topping. Served with a scoop of Blue Bell vanilla ice cream and warm caramel sauce.

For the Bambini

• Children's Choice of Meal and Soft Drink or Tea$4.75

  Penne with Basil Tomato, Spaghetti with Bolognese, Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza, Fettuccine Alfredo, Meatballs!

  • 3 For$5.99

Bibite

• Pepsi$2.50

• Diet Pepsi$2.50

• Mountain Dew$2.50

• Dr. Pepper$2.50

• Diet Dr. Pepper$2.50

• Sierra Mist$2.50

• Lemonade$2.50

• Ginger Ale$2.50

• Soda$2.50

• Tonic$2.50

• San Pellegrino Sparkling Water

  • Half-Liter$3.50
  • Liter$4.99

• Tea, Coffee$2.50

• Espresso$2.50

• Café Cappuccino$3.50

Beer

• Strongbow Gold Apple

• 3 Daughters Bimini Twist IPA

• Amstel Light

• Blue Moon

• Brooklyn Brown Ale

• Budweiser

• Bud Light

• Cigar City Jai Alai IPA

• Coors Light

• Corona Light

• Fat Tire

• Heineken

• Michelob Ultra

• Miller Light

• Peroni

• Samuel Adams, Seasonal

• Sierra Nevada

• Stella Artois

• Woodchuck Cider

• Yuengling

Lunch

Served Monday through Friday, 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM.

Paste

• Pollo or Grouper Rosso

  Chunks of chicken breast or grouper reddened with hot spices and "blackened" in a very hot pan; sautéed with scallions and mushrooms, then reduced in a creamy basil-tomato sauce with fresh tomato and tossed with fettuccine.

  • Chicken$9.99
  • Grouper$11.99

• Spaghetti Carbonara$8.99

  Ham, bacon, egg, cream and parmesan cheese.

• Penne Florentine$10.99

  Spinach, mushrooms, fresh tomato, garlic and goat cheese.

• Penne Roma$8.99

  Chicken, bacon, garlic, onions, olives, basil-tomato sauce and red wine.

• Prosciutto Linguine$8.99

  Prosciutto, mushrooms and artichoke hearts in aglio e olio.

• Primavera Linguine$7.99

  Broccoli, onions, peas, fresh tomato and olives in aglio e olio.

Create Your Own Combination

$8.50. Spaghetti, Linguine, Fettuccine, Penne, Bow Tie, Starburst, Angel Hair, Farro Wheat Linguine (add $2.99). Add 5 oz. Roasted Salmon, $7.50. Add 5 oz. Grilled Chicken Breast, $3.50. Add 4 oz. Sautéed Shrimp, $5.99. Add Meatballs, 3 for $5.99 or 6 for $9.99.

• Basil Tomato

  Plum tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, parsley and basil. Fresh and simple.

• Bolognese

  A rich sauce of ground beef, onions, celery, carrots and garlic simmered for 5 hours with white wine, milk and ground plum tomatoes.

• Alfredo

  Thick and rich, with heavy cream, garlic, parmesan and romano cheeses and a dash of nutmeg.

• Bruschetta

  A bit heavier than basil tomato, with diced plum tomatoes, garlic, onions, parsley and basil.

• Pesto

  Classic pesto of puréed fresh basil, parsley, garlic, olive oil, parmesan, romano and pine nuts.

• Roasted-Tomato Cream

  Made with an intensely flavored purée of roasted plum tomatoes, herbs and heavy cream.

• Aglio e Olio

  Olive oil, butter and garlic tossed with fresh parsley.

Pizze

Lunch size $6.99.

• Americano

• Margherita

  Mozzarella, parmesan and basil.

• Genoa

  Pesto, mozzarella, ricotta and romano.

• Capua

  Sausage, onions, mushrooms and mozzarella.

Panini

All sandwiches are served with garlic pasta chips and caponata aioli. Bella's Cafe salad may be substituted for pasta chips. $3.99.

• Spaghetti Sandwich$7.99

  Spaghetti tossed with bolognese sauce and stuffed into Bella's bread. Topped with mozzarella and baked.

• Meatball Sub$9.50

  Bella's meatballs, bruschetta sauce and mozzarella cheese on Bella's bread.

• Chicken Parmesan$9.50

  Sautéed chicken breast topped with mozzarella, basil-tomato sauce and fresh grated parmesan.

• Stromboli$9.99

  A folded pocket of pizza dough stuffed with ham, salami, pepperoni, mozzarella, tomato and green peppers.

• Chicken Romano$9.99

  Chicken breast breaded in romano and panko bread crumbs. Topped with provolone and artichoke-lemon basil butter.

• Philly$9.99

  Chicken breast sautéed with red and green peppers and caramelized onion. Topped with melted provolone cheese and a smear of caponata aioli.

• Grilled Chicken$9.50

  Chicken breast topped with provolone, lettuce, tomato and onion. Served with a spicy honey-mustard sauce.

• Grilled Chicken with Goat Cheese$9.50

  Chicken breast with herbed goat cheese and roasted red peppers.