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bella vita easley sc, clemson, cooking, eating out, food, greenville sc, hole in the wall, italy, restaurant review, south carolina, travel, upstate sc
Ahhhhhh, Bella Vita. It’s one of my favorite restaurants EVER, and you’d never find it if you didn’t know what you were looking for!
We went there right before Christmas with Jay’s family for an early celebration, and it was a blast!
This joint is COOL – it’s in a back alley near some abandoned mills in a TINY town about 30 minutes away from where we live. I’ve eaten there several times due to the fact that my old office at United Way was housed in the very same parking lot!
Apparently nonprofits and family-run businesses have about the same budget for ghetto real estate.
Bella Vita seats MAYBE 35 if lots of chairs are maneuvered – this place is teeny. A former house with a small kitchen and dining area run by John from New Jersey, his wife, and one other server most nights. John cooks authentic Italian food using fresh, local ingredients when he can.
Each night, the menu features a Land, Air, and Sea option. All meals come with appetizer, salad, and pasta course in addition to the main course – more than enough for one person! Jay and I shared the short rib special, pictured below, and we had MORE than enough food. The meat was falling off the bone in a great wine sauce served over mashed potatoes.
Jay had never been to Bella Vita before, and he loved the food just as much as I always have – other believers included a few picky family members – everyone loved everything!
Each entree is about $30, give or take, and you get your MONEY’S WORTH with this place. The atmosphere is cozy, and since few people can actually be eating at once the service is prompt and friendly – these people really care about their restaurant.
The wine list is concise, but has some great selections, and for a small corking fee you can bring your own wine, which we did the last time we were there.
Because of its unusual location and teensy bit expensive entrees we don’t go a lot, but we LOVE Bella Vita and go whenever we can! If you’re ever in the area or looking for something a step up from ANYTHING else around Greenville, check out Bella Vita and tell John hi!
You are right on about John and Joe at BV and SummaJoes! They are both customers of mine (I clean restaurant hoods n kitchens). Both places are excellent, but John REALLY exceeds all expectations. Took my girlyfriend there for St. Valentines’ day, she fell in love with the place and LEFT ME… (jk) I love reading your posts, you have great taste.
Thanks Frank! We love both places; and those two in particular we have personal connections with, which is nice. Feel free to come clean our kitchen anytime you feel like doing some volunteer work.