Bravo Bravo, Bella Brava

Trip Start Jul 10, 2007
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Trip End Ongoing


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Flag of United States  , Florida,
Saturday, July 28, 2007

Within a week of arriving last November, we stumbled upon Bella Brava on Central Avenue in St. Pete, with its contemporary Italian menu, smart modern decor, and being a dog friendly establishment, what else can we say. We usually don't dine out at any Italian-inspired restaurants too often, only because Jose Luis' myriad of al dente pasta combinations, that he has been preparing for years, are so stellar, that eating out at any establishment with even a hint of an italian name leaves us often disappointed. But not so at Bella Brava.
When dining out we rotate between sitting at a restaurant's bar, if it is welcoming, or at a table, but from the get go we were made to feel at home at BB's bar, by bartenders Mark, Ronda and Karis, so much so that we never searched out a table for dinner.
We can be creatures of habit and so of the 2 dozen or more meals (lunch and dinner) we have eaten at BB , I have most often leaned towards their Salad misticanza, with grilled chicken, hearts of palm, pine nuts, shaved parmigiana and cherry tomato, which Chef Mario pairs  with a light Chianti vinaigrette, I prefer their Balsamic glaze vinaigrette, giving it that exta kick. We became Amici della Casa, which simply means friends of the house or frequent diners, but admitedly we often forget to show our card, forgetfulness seems to follow us.
We have also tried their fritto misto, bruschetta and Tuscan hummus as a medley of appetizers, but it is with their thin crust, fresh flavored pizzas that they shine. Jose Luis usually starts with the carpaccio di manzo and then alternates between the Pizza Margherita, the Bella Brava and his favorite the Rustica, with caramelized onions, roasted peppers and spicy sausage.
Whether you feel comfortable sitting at a restaurant's bar, or at a table, a warm welcome by the hostess or manager and subsequently the server or bartender goes a long way to adding points in my book, and the fact that the staff remembers that I like more juice than alcohol in my Pomegranate or Bellini Martini, makes me appreciate them even more. Kudo's to you.
It also brings up a point we have pondered for many years, do we, as owners of a restaurant, frequent a competitors restaurant only because we like their food, atmosphere, service, value or also because the owners reciprocate and visit our establishment? Should we start shunning those restaurants, whose owners never dine out in ours? Hhmm.. Of course not, but there is a lot to be said for Tit for Tat, as Robert and Dyce, BB's owners have dined at Elements a number of times, and have brought friends and family as well, Honestly, we  would still spend a lazy Sunday night lingering over our Misticanza and Rustica, whether they did or not.
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