🍝 Bella
- Fresh Italian-inspired cuisine
- Family-welcoming atmosphere (more upscale)
- Full-service catering available
- Craft cocktails and wine
- Date-night appropriate
Bella is one of those places where dinner feels like a real occasion without being stuffy. It sits in downtown Maryville on Broadway, and if you've been chasing the kids around all day, this is where you go to remember why you started dating your husband in the first place.
The atmosphere is warm and intimate - think exposed brick, soft lighting, and circular booths that make you feel like you have your own little corner of the world. They do reservations through Resy, which I actually appreciate because it means you won't be stuck at the host stand while your kids start asking if dinner is going to be cheese pizza or pepperoni pizza for the hundredth time.
The food: Everything is made fresh. Not in a fancy way, but in a "they actually cook when you order" way. The short ribs are incredible, the roasted chicken is simple and perfect, and yes, you need to try the cheese wheel pasta - it is everything people say it is and more.
For kids: I've been here with my own family and they were welcoming to kids. The menu has options for everyone, and the portions are generous enough that you can split things if needed. They brought out a sparkler for my birthday dinner once, which my kids still talk about.
Parking: Street parking in downtown can be tricky, but there's a municipal lot nearby if you're not willing to circle for spots.
Pro tip: Make a reservation, especially on weekends. The wait can be 30-45 minutes if you don't, and that is not a good time to bring hungry kids.
When we go: We go when we want to feel like adults for an evening. This is not a casual Tuesday pizza place - this is when you want to slow down and actually talk to each other.