CHRISTMAS CLASSICS, ITALIAN COMFORT FOOD AND A GREAT EXCUSE TO ORDER LOADED FRIES

By Tanya Howard | Founder, The Live Review London · @glamglitzlondon | Press Invite

I love Italian food. Pasta, pizza, cheese, carbs… honestly, I could live off pasta alone. And when you throw in a festive twist into the mix, I’m certainly not about to complain. Bella Italia has always been a great option when you’re looking for an affordable way to enjoy a bit of Italian comfort food. So, when I was invited to the preview of their festive menu, I was looking forward to seeing what they had planned.

Hosted at The Strand location, the restaurant itself is lovely. There was a live band performing a mix of Christmas favourites and non-Christmas songs, adding a nice atmosphere to the evening. It was a good way to get into the festive spirit without having Christmas songs shoved down your throat. And post Halloween, I’m happy to start dipping my toes into the Christmas spirit.

THE ITALIAN CLASSICS HAVE HAD A CHRISTMAS GLOW UP

First up was the Christmas Carbonara! As a self-confessed basic B for a carbonara, I was very much here for this dish. Bella Italia has taken their classic carbonara and given it a Christmas makeover, adding crispy sage, pigs in blankets and a sage and onion stuffing crumb. It’s a fun twist on a familiar favourite, and I really enjoyed it. Carbonara tends to be my go-to order at an Italian, so adding a few festive extras without losing what makes it so good gets a big thumbs up from me.

Another option on the menu was the Truffle and Pumpkin Ravioli. I didn’t try this as I’m not a fan of pumpkin, but my friend tried it and it was her favourite dish of the selection. The pumpkin filled pasta parcels come in a truffle oil, white wine and cheese cream sauce, with roasted chestnut mushrooms and rocket. If pumpkin is your thing, this is one to add to your list.

Then there was the Christmas Camembert Pizza, which had me at Camembert. A tomato base topped with mozzarella, pulled chicken, pancetta and cranberry sauce, finished with a whole oozing Camembert and crispy sage. I love Camembert, and the cranberry sauce was a really nice addition alongside the other flavours. The combination of creamy cheese and the sweetness of the sauce just works.

SOMEONE PASS THE GRAVY, WE’RE LOADING THIS BABY UP

You can never really go wrong with Pigs in Blankets, can you? Crispy mini sausages wrapped in streaky bacon are a Christmas dinner staple for a reason, and they’re available as a side on the festive menu. You can also opt for a hot honey glaze if you fancy giving them a little something extra. Always a yes from me!

But my favourite dish of the evening was without a doubt the Christmas Loaded Fries. Skin on fries topped with gravy, pigs in blankets and sage and onion stuffing. I mean, come on, what a combo! I love gravy on chips anyway, so add meat and stuffing into the mix and you’ve pretty much got me sold. It’s giving Christmas dinner meets comfort food, and I could happily have made a meal out of these alone.

A MELTING SNOWMAN AND A LITTLE FESTIVE FIZZ

Of course, it wouldn’t be a festive menu without a few seasonal drinks to go alongside it. I tried the Snowman Lemon Float, and I’ll admit I wasn’t entirely convinced beforehand. I’m not usually a limoncello fan, so I wasn’t sure this one would be for me. Turns out, I had nothing to worry about! It arrives with the cutest little snowman made from lemon sorbet, then you pour Prosecco over the top and watch him slowly melt into your drink. A fun little touch, and surprisingly, I really enjoyed it. A festive cocktail with a bit of theatre? I’m sold.

My friend went for the Cinnamon Apple Cooler, a Christmas mocktail, and really enjoyed it. There’s also a Mulled Spritz on the menu, combining Malfy con Arancia Gin, Aperol, Prosecco and soda with warming mulled spices. I’m not an Aperol fan myself, but I just know that’s going to be a big hit with the spritz lovers. This is definitely in the running for the Christmas Aperol Spritz alternative.

THIS ONE IS FOR THE MINCE PIE LOVERS

The festive menu also has a Mince Pie Cheesecake for those who like a little something sweet after their meal. I’ve never got the appeal of a mince pie, but the dessert looked lovely. It’s a baked vanilla cheesecake topped with mince pie pieces and salted caramel sauce, served with vanilla gelato. I just know that this would go down a treat with my family who are more than happy to scrap over the last mince pie.

I really enjoyed trying Bella Italia’s festive menu. I like that they’ve taken some familiar Italian favourites and added a few Christmas dinner touches, rather than completely reinventing the wheel. And whilst the Christmas Carbonara and Camembert Pizza were both lovely, those loaded fries are the dish I’d be going back for. Gravy on fries should be an option all year round.

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