Bella Napoli

Bella Napoli served its purpose as a pleasant meal. The atmosphere was quiet and peaceful, despite its location just a block away from the bustling Nanjing Road, the Portman, and Plaza 66.  The restaurant’s simple interior décor felt a little like Italy, with a something of a Trattoria feel.  I particularly liked the large window between the small dining room and the kitchen that integrated the chef into the experience.

 

We ordered a good, hearty vegetarian meal of appetizers, pasta and dessert.  We started with bruschetta (fresh tomatoes with lots of garlic) and a salad caprese sprinkled with delicious fresh mozzarella.  The servings were generous and the food was a perfect amount for four of us to split.  For our main course each of us ordered a vegetarian pasta dish.  Everyone was content with their dish, although they were nothing to write home about.  The desserts, an apple pie and a Tiramisu, were simply delicious.

 

Including a nice bottle of wine, the bill came to 700RMB for four people. We felt the bill was a bit too much, so it sort of put a damper on our overall opinion of the place.  Until they improve upon the pastas and make them worth the higher prices, I would recommend heading up the street to Pasti.  Pasti is cheaper and features homemade pasta dishes, albeit a much less charming decor.