Bella's Italian Cafe

Bella was Joyce's grandmother, a small woman, barely 4'11" tall, who read tea leaves during the Depression to help support the family. But she also cooked! In fact, she was hailed, along with her husband William, as the neighborhood's best cook. Their Pasta and Bean Soup (Pasta Fagiola) was famous on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn. She and William cooked up a storm. Our Manicotti is as close to Bella's as Joyce could make it, and we found it to be one of our most popular items.

"I can still hear Grandma Bella calling out from the kitchen in her heavy voice to all of us at the dinner table, 'Mangia! Mangia!' It was the signal to put to my lips the best thing I had ever tasted -- and eat! As I got a bit older, I was permitted in the kitchen to learn from the master. She always spoke especially loudly in her accented English when explaining a recipe -- very important matters demand full attention! I only hope I have done her recipes some justice here, and that our customers will enjoy this food as much as I do."