From: Biniam Haile \(SWE\) (eritrea.lave@comhem.se)
Date: Fri Sep 26 2008 - 17:57:22 EDT
DINING out
Café Bella
By Teri Horsley
Contributing Writer
Friday, September 26, 2008
Eritrea. The small African country that was once governed by Italy,
gained its independence in 1993. As a result, a unique blend of African
and Italian cuisine was born. As food lovers in Eritrea continue to
enjoy traditional stews made from chicken and lentils, as well as
Southern Italian favorites, Americans can now join the fun at Café Bella
in Mason.
"We are a good atmosphere, and a family owned restaurant that allows you
to eat, drink and be yourself," said Freweini "Bella" Andemicael, the
café owner. Bella, as she's known, is a native of Eritrea and hopes to
introduce local diners to her country's interesting cuisine.
"We serve many Mediterranean dishes that people are familiar with, and
occasionally we have Eritrean taste nights, so people can learn of our
food," she said.
The lunch menu at Café Bella features Italian style sandwiches and
pastas, including Wild Mushroom Penne and Penne Sicillana, a blend of
stewed eggplant, zucchini and tomato with red bell pepper and herbs
topped with ricotta cheese. Dinner entrees include Tortellini, Veal
Bolognese and Almond Tilapia, which is crusted and broiled and served on
sun-dried tomato cous-cous with a Dijon mustard sauce and vegetables.
"I try to use a lot of the flavors of the Mediterranean with simple
ingredients and my own flair to kick it up a notch," said head chef
Micah Sensenig. Strangely, Sensenig's grandparents were once
missionaries in Eritrea, so he came to Café Bella with a knowledge of
the owner's culture.
Children are welcome at Café Bella and the menu for those younger than
12 features pizza, tortellini and penne pasta served in smaller
portions. Desserts also showcase the cuisine of the Mediterranean with
Baklava, Tiramisu and Creme Brulee rounding out the menu.
"When one thinks of Mediterranean food, there are so many cultures
involved that we have put influences from all over the region on our
menu," said general manager Kirk Knoechel.
Café Bella offers seating for 47 in the main dining room and a banquet
area that seats 50. There is outside seating for 12. Reservations are
accepted for lunch and dinner, and full bar service is available. The
café is also undergoing an expansion and live music and dancing will
soon be offered.
CONTACT this writer at tlhrsly@cinci.rr.com
HOW TO GO
WHAT: Café Bella
WHERE: 5948 Snider Road, Mason (off Tylersville)
WHEN: Lunch: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday — Saturday. Dinner: 5 to 9 p.m.
Tuesday — Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Bar is open later.
Happy Hour daily from 5 to 7 p.m. Restaurant is closed Sunday and Monday
and between the lunch and dinner hours.
COST: Lunch sandwiches, $6.95 and $7.95; luncheon pastas, $9.95 and
$10.95. Dinner entrees, $14.95 — $23.95; kids menu, $4.95 — $6.95.
MORE INFO: (513) 770-4141 or www.cafebellamason.com
CRITICS CHOICE: Veal Bolognese, Almond Tilapia with Sun-Dried Tomato
Cous-Cous
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