Delightful dining at Bella Saratoga
Written: Jun 30 '00 (Updated Dec 03 '00)
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Pros: Intimate environment, flavorful interpretations of "old standbys"
Cons: Slightly inconvenient parking, can be claustrophobic
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| smiles33's Full Review: The Bay Area |
Tucked among the quaint boutiques on Big Basin Way in the heart of Saratoga, a Victorian stands proudly at attention, a remnant of the past that has been revitalized and re-born in the form of an Italian restaurant.
Bella Saratoga is an old stand-by when one is looking for comfortable, familiar food. Pasta, steak, seafood, poultry, and appetizers like fried calamari, bruschetta, and steamed clams are the kind of dishes that don't require much deliberation on the part of the diner. Yet this is precisely why good restaurants have chefs who are able to impart a certain finesse to distinguish it from blander fare served at middle-brow chains like the Olive Garden or Florentine's.
My family and I went tonight for a quick Friday evening dinner. My brother and I had just returned from a long commute from San Francisco, so we wanted to get some food and return home. Skipping appetizers because of the delicious herb bread "triangles" (similar to pizza slices) and cheese spread, we went directly to the main course and were fully satisfied by large portions of food (though some dishes were considerably better than others!).
Three of us ordered one of the daily specials:
* I had the Grilled Sea bass with scallops and garlic for $16.95, which I was somewhat disappointed by as the texture felt too rubbery or overcooked. I had a glass of Jepson Sauvignon Blanc for $5.50, which would have complemented such a meal well but instead reinforced the bland flavor of the sea bass.
* My mother ordered the Fettuccine with chicken in a cream sauce with peppers for $14.95. I didn't try any of her dish, but she said it was acceptable.
* My dad was the "2nd place" winner of the night, with his choice of the pork tenderloin. It was grilled just right, tender yet extremely flavorful and succulent.
My brother ordered off the regular menu, getting the Beef Angelo (Midwestern Filet Mignon with Warm Spinach and Garlic Mashed Potatoes) for $19.50 and a glass of merlot (I forgot the name, but it was very smooth and didn't have the zing that I dislike!). This was the undisputed winner, as all of us tried this dish and kept reaching for seconds! I think my brother only got a small portion of his filet, but he was still sufficiently fed, as we would exchange portions of our less "worthy" meals for equal (or slightly larger!) portions of his Beef Angelo. This was a rich, hearty cut of meat, with just the right amount of marbled fat to give it a smooth, almost velvety texture.
We actually finished almost our entire meal, so we were too full to try dessert. Plus, my family usually doesn't indulge in sweets. However, Bella Saratoga seems to offer an amazing array of desserts, as per their website, <http://www.saratoga-ca.com/bella>. If I had room, I would've ordered the Cappuccino Mudd Pie, with Espresso Haagen Dazs, Chocolate Sauce & Oreo Crust for $5.25.
It's not just a matter of the food itself, but also presentation and ambiance. Bella Saratoga is a Victorian home converted into a restaurant, with dining areas outside, in the main dining area, as well as upstairs on the second floor. The place is utterly delightful and amusing, though it can feel cramped depending on the table location. On an earlier visit, I found myself seated at a small table near a wall and felt a little claustrophobic. When I went tonight with my family, we were seated upstairs where it was much emptier and felt there was ample space.
You are reading an epinion by SMILES33. If it appears under a different name, it has been plagiarized! Please report it to Epinions and also let me know by sending email to smilesesq@yahoo.com. Thank you!
You'll laugh, but I was smitten with the bathroom. There were fresh flowers, several beautiful mirrors amplifying the size of the room, homey wooden furniture (including a chair with a woven seat cushion that had a teddy bear pattern), and pale pink floral wallpaper. It just fit the image perfectly!
After dinner, we proceeded to take a short walk down Big Basin Way to revel in the cool evening air and soak in the "small-town charm" of the street. It really is an escape from the hustle and bustle of Silicon Valley!
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14503 Big Basin Way
Saratoga, California
(408) 741-5115
Public parking lot a block or two away, but not much parking available; Street parking also an option if you're lucky; I didn't see valet offered by Bella Saratoga, but several other nearby restaurants do offer it.
Recommended:
Yes
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