If you’re looking for fresh, vibrant Italian cuisine, brave the cold and construction and head over to Market Square where you’ll find their newest addition. Bella Sera – Urban Trattoria may have taken awhile to open, but it was SO worth the wait.
Bella Sera offers an intimate and inviting space with warm colors and beautiful furnishings. It certainly lives up to its. More casual than a traditional sit down restaurant, yet more formal than a bar, it’s the perfect place to stop in for a casual lunch or dinner. The downside? While they are open until 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, they are closed on the weekends. Hopefully with enough patronage this will change.
If you’re a fan of fresh, sustainable ingredients you’ll find yourself in the right place. I braved the cold with a fellow downtowner for a much needed lunch date – sans kiddo! It was quiet when we arrived at 11:30 a.m., but quickly picked up to a pleasant bustling pace shortly after noon. Both my friend and I ordered the Focaccia Sandwich, made with fresh mozzarella, grilled eggplant, roma tomato and farm-fresh pesto. I’m not usually the biggest fan of veggie sandwiches, but this was probably one of the tastiest sandwiches I’ve ever had! Be prepared to be picking pesto out of your teeth for the rest of the day, but it’s so worth it. Their menu also boasts a Bella Burger made with all natural local beef, pepper bacon, caramelized red onion, and your choice of cheese. Other items that looked quite tasty were the Italian tomato salad, made with roma tomato, red onion, fontinella, farm-fresh pesto, basil and balsamic vinaigrette, and the Mushroom Bruschetta with manchego, lemon and truffle oil.
Though the menu is small; limited to sandwiches, salads and appetizers, they have quite an impressive wine list with a wide array of reds and whites by the glass… or the bottle. Depends on your mood I guess! Whether you head over for drinks, lunch, or a light dinner, you won’t be disappointed.
Another impressive fact: Bella Sera – Urban Trattoria is also Pittsburgh’s first Green Certified Restaurant, certified by the Green Restaurant Association. They meet criteria and standards for both sustainable design and and cuisine. It’s good for you and the environment. Mangiare tutto!
