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Bella Vista Serves Italian with a Slice of Heaven
by Lisa Clark
You just can’t beat Sex Above The City with a breathtaking view.
The lusty drink is one of more than a dozen specialty martinis available at Bella Vista Ristorante Italiano, perched high above the Golden Triangle along Grandview Avenue’s famous restaurant row. A splash of champagne adds sparkle to Stoli Razberi Vodka, Chambord and pineapple juice, and a stellar sunset sets the mood for a magical evening on Mt. Washington.
Owner Rosetta Eichert is Italian by marriage, but no less apt to encourage you to mangia than a true Italian mama. Her imprimatur is on everything in the three-year-old restaurant, and she wants her patrons to enjoy the culinary delights as well as the intimate décor.
“If you have no knowledge of a kitchen there is no way you can run a restaurant,” says Eichert, who grows herbs for the kitchen in her yard and has chefs Joe Crivaro, James DiGiannurio, and Michael Thomas whip up some of her family recipes. “To me it’s not owning something. I’m working to make it something.” Bella Vista is a family affair. Eichert owns and operates the eatery with her three daughters. Her grandchildren clear tables and check coats, and her husband manages the office and turns out trays of Tiramisu, that quintessential Italian dessert.
“Everyone in the family has their hands in here somewhere,” says Eichert, who has worked in restaurants on Mt. Washington for 37 years and once served President Bill Clinton and Prime Minister John Major during a visit to Pittsburgh. Take a seat anywhere in Bella Vista’s 65- seat dining room and lounge, and you have a spectacular view of Heinz Field and The Point. Sip sparkling water and dab a slice of fresh bread into a puddle of oil, then top it with a sprinkle of fresh cheese. There’s much more to come. There is plenty of the Bruschetta appetizer to share. Chunky tomatoes and tangy balsamic mingle atop lightly toasted bread. Similarly filling, a large Portabella Mushroom cap holds a thick layer of tasty crabmeat. Lobster Ravioli with lobster cream sauce is a delicious appetizer, and even lovelier as a full entrée.
The menu is primarily Italian, but there are some non-Italian dishes that are worth a try. Beef Wellington, for instance, is a signature item. Light and flaky puff pastry with a decorative “BV” on top encases a tender, savory cut of meat and is almost too pretty to eat. It is served with a side of succulent Shrimp Scampi—three big, plump butterfly-cut shrimp in a rich butter sauce.
Fish lovers will also like the Stuffed Salmon, with its crabmeat stuffing and lightly flavored orange brandy cream sauce. If you prefer something with a bit more bite, Shrimp Diablo. The pasta dish features a spicy sauce that will leave your tongue tingling.
Shrimp or Chicken Napoli is one of Eichert’s family favorites. Ziti with sundried tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and fresh spinach has the taste of down-home goodness. Red wine sauce brings out the flavor of fresh sautéed veal stuffed with prosciutto and sage to form traditional Veal Saltimbocca, a Roman specialty. Dinner entrées include a choice of soup or salad, side of pasta, and vegetable, but it is a difficult choice. A “garnish” of chopped vegetables marinated in the house balsamic vinaigrette is a nice addition to the fresh, crisp salad. On the other hand, the Wedding Soup is among the best around.
It’s best to indulge in as much as you comfortably can, then relax and reflect on your meal and the city below as you savor a final cup of frothy cappuccino and slice of rich Tiramisu.
Bella Vista Restorante Italiano
1204 Grandview Ave.
Mt. Washington
Pittsburgh
412-431-1660
www.bellavistapgh.com
Hours:
Monday-Thursday, 5:00 PM-10:00 PM
Friday, 5:00 PM-11:00 PM
Saturday, 4:00 PM-11:00 PM
Sunday, 4:00 PM-9:00 PM
Dinner Price Range:
Appetizers & Salads — $4.95 to $11.95
Entrées — $17.95 to $38.95
Desserts — $2.95 to $5.95
—Lisa Clark is a writer and restaurant reviewer whose articles have appeared in newspapers and magazines.
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