UPTOWN — Bella 'Mbriana didn't throw a big bash or release any balloons when it officially opened Thursday morning on Clark Street.
But neighbors still flocked to check out the traditional Italian cafe, at 4656 N. Clark St. on its first day of business.
"We've seen two or three dozen people and we've been open for maybe five hours. People have been spreading the word," said Manager Nicholas Russo.
The family-oriented restaurant will offer southern Italian products including Caffe Moreno coffee and espresso, traditional pastries and desserts from Naples and gelato made fresh every day. The restaurant offers free WiFi and has seating for about 40 people, Russo said.
The restaurant will open at 6:30 a.m. and serve coffee and pastries. From the lunch menu, expect soups, salads and sandwiches. Small seasonal four-course meals will make up the dinner menu, according to Russo.
According to their website, their menu "is simple yet exquisite, and all of our products are made fresh daily." Chef Carmine, of Naples, "infuses local Neapolitan cuisine with a modern twist of Italy to ensure a perfect taste."
Russo said the crew had been preparing for the opening for about a week when they decided to just go for it on 6:30 a.m. Thursday.
"We had everything ready to go, so we figured we might as well open," said Russo adding the final decision was made Wednesday night.
Take a Virtual Tour of the Cafe:
A resident peeks into the window of the new cafe at 4656 N. Clark St. [DNAinfo/Josh McGhee]
A look at the menus of the new cafe. For their full menu click here. [DNAinfo/Josh McGhee]
The new cafe offers free WiFi and seating for about 40 people, said manager Nicholas Russo. [DNAinfo/Josh McGhee]
Manager Nicholas Russo recommended his favorite pastry, a graffa, which is a fried doughnut stuffed with nutella and topped in powder sugar. [DNAinfo/Josh McGhee]
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