Bella Napoli Italian Bistro

You know how people from big cities always brag about their “cute little Italian place around the corner?” The one that’s not too fancy but still romantic with the red-checkered tablecloths, crazy good marinara and the waitstaff that greets you with smooches on both cheeks like your grandmothers knew each other in the old country? Well, now downtown Savannah can boast about its own adorable bistro.

Bella Napoli opened earlier this fall on State Street right next to the iconic Bradley’s Lock & Key. It’s fast become a favorite in the neighborhood . Cozy and full of red-checkered charm, Bella Napoli is a well-executed take on a classic concept, from the spicy putanesca to the Pavarotti coming out of the speakers. Candles and Chianti bottles round out the décor, as well as murals of Pulcinella, the commedia dell’arte trickster recognizable by his beak mask and clown collar.

Authenticity and ambience were the priorities of owner/operator Gary Langevin, who grew up in Naples at the knee of his constantly-cooking Nona. He spent his 20s running a popular pizza joint in New Jersey, eventually bringing his dough skills south to Charleston, where he converted many a grits lover to his tender gnocci. Last year Langevin moved to Savannah and opened Little Italy on Wilmington Island with his wife, Heather Perez.

Bella Napoli features the bright flavors and super fresh ingredients of Neopolitan cuisine: Pizza margherita with tangy tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella and lots of basil. Manicotti stuffed with ricotta and blanketed with red sauce. Meatballs the size of a fist with the perfect amount of spice. Spaghetti alla vongole brimming with clams, mussels and cherry tomatoes. Fresh parmigiana sprinkled on your meal at the table.

The calzones are big as footballs, the antipasto plates piled with olives and prosciutto. Tiramisu, cannoli and mascarpone-layered lemoncello cake are the dessert offerings, accompanied by an after-dinner espresso. This is the Italian comfort food we all recognize, no new-fangled interpretations or strange surprises—and that’s a good thing! These are the dishes we mean when we crave Italian food, and Bella Napoli provides a homey, time-honored setting to enjoy them.