Serving some of the finest Italian cuisine this side of Rome, Bella Napoli is now regarded as a Glasgow institution. Run by Scotland's very own Italian celebrity chef Domenico Crolla, this ristorante in Shawlands on Glasgow's south side is one of its best.
It's regarded as the best Italian restaurant in the UK by the highly-respected Pizza, Pasta and Italian Food Association! Step inside its glass doors from the busy Kilmarnock Road and you will discover why Bella Napoli deserves the title.
Bella Napoli Menu.pdf
This charismatic Scots-born Italian is the man behind Bella Napoli.
But there is far much more to this man than an award-winning restaurant.
He oozes so much personality, and such a passion for Italian cuisine, that it is hard to believe no talent scouts have snapped him up to host his own TV show... yet.
But to Glasgow, and indeed Scotland, Domenico is very much the Celebrity Chef - and we should be proud that we have beaten Italy in having him call our country his home.
The 45-year-old was born in the east end of Glasgow. At that time, his Italian-born father Alfredo ran a successful cafe, which gave a young Domenico his early introduction to catering.
Domenico, a graduate of the Scottish Hotel School, admits: I always aspired to do something in catering, running a restaurant is what I have always wanted to do. There is no doubt in my mind that I wouldn't have gone into this industry.
After a stint working with his father, Domenico launched his first pizzeria, Dominos (and later Dom's Place for 'legal' reasons!!) in Cardonald, before founding Italmania 15 years ago.
When it first opened in Giffnock, on Glasgow's south side, Italmania( now known as Pizza Couture) became Scotland's very first designer pizza shop, complete with marble and brass furnishings and serving top quality pizzas to take-away.
A city centre branch followed before Domenico took over the ownership of the hugely-successful Bella Napoli in Shawlands in 2005.
In fact, so well-respected in Italian circles worldwide is Domenico that he is now invited to judge cookery contests across the globe.
In 2008, he was the only non-American judge at the International Pizza Challenge.
The previous year, he was a UK judge at the 1st Olimpiade della Pizza (or Pizza Olympics) in Italy and again in 2008 judging at the Italian World Championships in Italy. His love of Scottish produce allowed him to be Master of Ceremonies at Scotland's annual Food Fest two years running.
But perhaps Domenico is most famous for his world-record breaking pizzas.
The experienced pizza chef-turned-restaurateur says: I don't like being typecast as a pizza chef but I happen to be very good at making pizza and it's my favourite food.
Since then he has turned this establishment into the number one Italian restaurant in the UK, according to the Pizza, Pasta and Italian Food Association.
As the proud father-of-two, who is dad to Cristina, 22, and 17-year-old Alfredo, puts it running a restaurant is not simply a career, it's a lifestyle, it's my life. He even jokes that it is part of his DNA! He adds: I enjoy the job, I love the job, I think it brings out the best in my personality.
It's clear from his impressive CV that Domenico lives and breathes Italian cuisine - and luckily so does wife Genny, who helps run the restaurant!
Over the years Domenico has won a number of accolades including: Pizza Designer of the Year five years in a row; 2nd in the International Pizza Challenge (Las Vegas, 2007); and 2nd in the Italian Chef Awards (Las Vegas, 2007).
To coincide with the release of Casino Royale in 2006, the restaurateur designed and created Pizza Royale 007, a James Bond-themed pizza complete with lobster, gold leaf and caviar toppings.
It became the World's Most Expensive Pizza when auctioned on internet bidding site eBay and fetched £2,150 for charity.
Always one for a challenge, Domenico set out to better that record the following year when he created a Heroes Pizza in honour of terrorist attack hero John Smeaton which raised £4,400 for charity.
For 2008, to coincide with the 22nd Bond movie Quantum of Solace, Domenico is creating an eagerly-awaited sequel with Quantum Pizza007, a themed pizza with 22 different toppings, each one representing a Bond film...
85 Kilmarnock Road
Shawlands
Glasgow
G41 3YR
T:0141 632 4222
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85 Kilmarnock Road, Shawlands, Glasgow, G41 3YR Tel:table reservations 0141 632 4222 / take-away on 0141 6329055
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