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This is a restuarnt review written
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Review by Suzin Odlen Some people refer to Vita Bella as the best kept secret in Somers Point and perhaps it is. Tucked behind the Mobil Station off Parkway Exit 30, Vita Bella specializes in Italian cuisine and gourmet pizza. Chef/owner Frank Campisi cites his father as his mentor. Frank grew up in the restaurant business and in fact, his father once owned a restaurant in Brooklyn named Vita Bella. Frank has owned the Somers Point restaurant since October of '94. His menu is all inclusive, featuring gourmet Italian specialties and truly original pizzas. For our appetizer, we split an order of Eggplant Parmesan ($4.25) that was excellent. It was a large portion which I could have enjoyed as an entree. Other good choices included Sweet Fennel Sausage ($2.50), Breaded Mushrooms ($4.25), Mussels Marinara ($5.25) and Frank's Wings ($5.25), to name just a few. The special appetizer of the evening was Sauteed Spinach with Roasted Red Peppers ($4.95). The salad was well chilled and fresh including lettuce, red onions, cucumber, shredded carrots, purple cabbage and sweet roasted peppers. It was served with a variety of dressings. We chose the house, a creamy Italian that was very good. They also offer Caesar and Garden Salad which may include chicken and a Cold Antipasto. The soups are all homemade and on the night of our review meal they served Minestrone, Chicken Escarole and Potato Parsley. Bread lovers will be thrilled with Vita Bella's homemade garlic rolls. The special entrees of the evening were Veal and Shrimp Caruso ($15.95) and Stuffed Flounder Florentine ($16.95). The first dish was topped with provolone cheese and served in a sauce prepared with chopped tomatoes, white wine and lemon butter. The flounder was stuffed with spinach, mushrooms, garlic and ricotta cheese in a roasted garlic cream sauce.
The menu features a good variety of pasta selections with a choice of spaghetti, linguine, capellini, penne or fettucine. They're priced from $7.95 to $9.95 and soup or salad is included. Pasta Alla Vita seemed like a good choice. It's made with sauteed fresh broccoli, red bell peppers, shallots and scallions, simmered in a roasted garlic cream sauce. I chose Capellini with White Clam Sauce ($8.75) and was amazed at the portion which was big enough for two. It was loaded with garlic and minced clams. The menu also features a nice selection of poultry, flounder, shrimp and veal specialties. My dining partner, Jackie Mancuso, selected Veal Vincente ($16.95). Jackie's a good eater but she, also, took half the order to go for the next day. Her dish was very rich, a delicious combination of sauteed veal and shrimp in a garlic, butter, white wine sauce topped with jumbo lump crabmeat. For dessert, you can treat yourself to a Chocolate Chip Cannoli, Tiramisu or Dark Side of the Moon, which was our selection. This was sinfully rich and very chocolaty. Chef Frank's seafood pizza creations are worth noting with names like The Clammer, Seafood Pesto, Shrimp Margherita, Seafood Marinara, Shrimp VinDom and Seafood Bella made with shrimp, scallops, clams, garlic, basil and mozzarella. There are pizza specials every day, as well. Vita Bella features an all you can eat Italian Feast Buffet on Wednesday nights. Complete Dinner Specials are served from Sunday through Thursday. The service here is friendly and professional and our waitress, Tracey, did a nice job at the table. Vita Bella is a perfect spot for the entire family. 131 Jordan Rd., Somers Point · 927-5188 (Behind Mobil Station, off Laurel Drive) |
