A Beautiful
Night
For Bella Donna
Bella Donna: 251-15 Northern Blvd.,
Little Neck, 279-4400
Hours: Open for lunch and dinner
Monday-Friday, brunch and dinner on Sunday, dinner only on Saturday.
Cuisine: Italian
Handicapped Accessible: Yes
Credit Cards: Yes
Ever want to scurry away for a quiet dinner
in your own corner of the world and enjoy the pleasures of good company over candlelight
and fine wine? Well, so did the owners of Bella Donna in Little Neck, and they made the
place for you.
Though the beautifully painted main dining
room awaits busy Saturday nights (reservations recommended) when live bands play, the
quieter weekdays bring diners to the back room at the restaurant. On a Monday evening I
was led to a table near the skylight and by the time the Italian wine (specially imported
from Bari in Puglia) arrived, the lights on the wall had dimmed, the candles on the tables
were lit, and the Italian delights were about to begin.
The meal began with the hot antipasto
($7.95) including baked clams, delectable eggplant rollatini, and deep-fried calamari.
Owners Carmela and Martino had a side sample of their pizza from their neighboring
pizzeria (Bella Pizza) sent over to the table. The Sicilian sample featured the same
flavorful sauce that made the calamari a pleasure. And the freshly baked bread on the
table was complete with the segments of their light pizza crust with just a touch of sauce
and cheese.
For the pleasure and leisure of the hungry,
Bella Donna’s menu leaves room for each individual’s tastes. Listings such as
Pollo a Piacere (breast of chicken any style for $14.95) and Vitello a Piacere (veal any
style for $15.95) leave the particulars up to you. My guest enjoyed expertly prepared
Chicken Francese with fresh broccoli in a garlic sauce.
From the pasta listings, I selected
Fettucine al Sugo di Carne (fettucine with ground veal for $12.95) for a more than ample
serving topped by as much light and tasty veal sauce as I requested.
Already full, there was no resisting a
taste of the homemade desserts and they should not be missed. Their napoleon is arguably
the best in Queens and certainly the best I have ever had (a strong statement for a
life-long fan). Other treasures include their tiramisu and Italian cheesecake. But if you
are just too full for the full dessert experience, at least enjoy the Italian ice creams
or lemon sorbet (desserts are $5 each).
For their music and dining, a quiet night
in the back room, or to hold your private parities (both small and large), Bella Donna
makes for a beautiful night out.
— Tamara Hartman |
