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La Vita e bella

La Vita é Bella’s new executive chef, Douglas Stassi, has spruced up the classic Italian eatery’s menu, focusing on the roots of Italian cuisine. The name of the game is freshness and seasonality. La Vita é Bella’s pastas, sauces, dressings and complementary foccacia bread are all prepared daily, in-house.

Diving into the new menu we began with the tranciato bistecca ($16). The unique dish incorporated thinly sliced (almost shredded) rib eye steak with arugula leaves, juicy sea-salted cherry tomatoes and lemon vinaigrette. The combination was tasty — highlighting the spiciness of the arugula and juicy, ripe tomatoes.

Our next starter featured a nice take on traditional calamari. Marinated in buttermilk and breaded with a little graham cracker for extra sweetness, the calamari fritti ($14) was amazing. The squid was tender and fresh, and the tangy tomato sauce was mouthwatering. I highly recommend this dish.

For his main course, my boyfriend had the gnocchi ($19). Made with ricotta, the gnocchi was wonderfully prepared. What really made this dish a standout was the awesome combination of double smoked bacon, red onion, cherry tomato and fresh basil in a spicy tomato sauce. From presentation to the last delightful bite, this dish was layered with distinct and vibrant flavour.

I had the gamberi risotto ($20) — complemented by a thick slice of grana padano and plump, buttery prawns, the dish was decadently rich. I loved the taste of fresh oregano mingling with the slight sweetness of brandy, with al dente risotto.

For dessert we had the panna cotta ($8) — a vanilla bean and orange cream custard topped with wild berry compote. The custard was silky smooth and was perfectly accented by the orange flavour. We also had the trio sorbetto ($8). As the name implies, the dish featured three sorbets: pink grapefruit, limoncello and blueberry. All three were a refreshing hit and a great send-off to a great meal.

This lovely Italian bistro really has it all. Conveniently located in Victoria Park, the space is fresh and sophisticated with hues of creams and chocolate. The service is courteous and friendly, and the wine list offers a small, but thoughtful, selection of wines.

But the truly great thing about La Vita é Bella is the accessibility of its world-class Italian cuisine. It’s heartening to see great food being served at reasonable prices. And speaking of value, diners also have the option of the chef’s tasting for only $50 ($70 if you pair it with wine).

Stay tuned for La Vita é Bella’s patio, opening soon.