Bella Roma Tuscan Grill
Bravely opened up in June 2020 (pandemic) to not only succeed but quickly built up lots of regulars and locals. Haven’t had Italian food this magical in decades. It’s good to have a reservation, but not always necessary.
Song That Pops In My Head When I Enter: Il Padrino (The Godfather)
The Vibe.
Classic Tuscan colors and decor make the interior feel like what Olive Garden wants to be in its best dreams. Feels like it’s been there way longer than a couple of years. On the finer end of dining, but not stuffy.
What a Woman Should Wear: A little on the sultry side. No Lilly Pulitzer here.
At The Table Next to Us: Two older, well-to-do couples embolded with several rounds of red wine. Lots of laughter and conversation about how this was the best steak they’d ever had.
Looks Like an Occasion for: Anniversary or evening with good friends.
The Food.
Let’s just start with the red sauce. You can simply order the spaghetti with meatballs and feel like you’re back on Mulberry Street in Little Italy.
The serious talent of the chefs emerges from specialty seafood pastas such as Gamberi Venziana and Linguine Pescatore.
Pick the Caesar salad (yum) over the the house salad (good enough).
We’ve never tried their pizzas but there seem to always be a good many people dropping in for pickup.
Don’t Miss: Gamberi Venziana, Filet, Spaghetti with Meatballs, Tiramasu.
The Service.
I haven’t seen service like this since unemployment rates were high. There appears to clearly be less turnover here than most places as we often see the same servers time and time again.
Okay but get this. Some of the servers sing. In Italian. At your table.
Seriously it’s like being in the middle of an opera and getting chills and almost crying because it’s so beautiful.
The waitstaff seems to be on top of the world showing pride in their food and real attention to diners.
Level of Happiness
Giddy. There’s a reason we don’t let too many weeks pass without going here.
It’s a long and leisurely dinner and begs of romance and Chianti. Since it’s in a newer shopping area, there’s not too much to explore on foot nearby. Our best times here are with another couple or two. Noi non potremo avere perfetta vita senza amici.
Number of Cats Spotted: None, but usually have a few leftovers for our four-legged bosses.
Suggestion Box: Have the owner or head chef visit tables more often.
Location: 11535 Hutchison Blvd, Panama City Beach
Hours: 4 p.m. .-9:30 p.m. Tues -Thurs; 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Fri-Sat; 4 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Sunday
Contact: 850.249.1340 and Bella Roma PCB.
