Seafood Paella at Bella (Trinidad)
BELLA ON THE AVENUE opened its doors in August 2012, giving the bustling Avenue another stylish place to lime and more importantly, a new restaurant with great food.
This week we made it to BELLA for a first look and vowed to return again. Short on time, we ordered from the prix fixe lunch menu, starting with a small salad and an absolutely delicious Cream of Tomato Soup that was full of texture, flavour, and so pretty we almost didn’t want to eat it.
Next up were BELLA’s generously portioned entrees – Raspberry Glazed Breast of Chicken with Sauteed Cassava & Vegetables and a Seafood Paella with a Tomato Concasse. Both dishes were wonderful, the tender chicken breast was livened up with a slightly sweet raspberry sauce and balanced by savory sides of veggies and sauteed cassava (loved the use of a local ingredient here instead of oft-used Irish potatoes).
But for us, this meal was all about the scrumptious Seafood Paella! BELLA elevated this traditional Spanish dish with the use of risotto (rather than rice) and charitably stocked it with roasted tomatoes, shrimp, calamari and other fruits of the sea. Sadly, we had to rush off before we could sample the dessert menu and BELLA’s much-buzzed about cocktails, next time though! Link to all our Bella lunch pictures.
Address/Phone - Corner of Ariapita Avenue & Belle-Smythe Road, Woodbrook, Trinidad; (868) 622-6233.
Serving/Hours – Lunch & Dinner: Monday-Saturday: 11am-12 midnight; Closed Sundays.
Features/Good to Know - Full service; Full Bar; Outdoor seating available; Prix fixe lunch menu.
BELLA Facebook Page/Email – Bella’s Facebook Page; bellaexperience@gmail.com
Just when I thought that there was absolutely no place in Trinidad that could deliver the international standard of customer service, BELLA absolutely surprised me! Our server’s name was Joverne and she was so very polite and professional. The ambiance is simple yet elegant with a sufficient balance of natural lighting.
Our 3 course menu was nothing short of excellent and was so generously served that I had to have my dessert on take-out (rich, moist chocolate cake – just the way I like it!). I must also mention that the price (of the prix fix luch menu) was a big factor in choosing to dine there, very competitive and relatively affordable – worth every cent.
Been there only once so far but I think I love it! Will definately be back.