Italian Fairytale at Bella Venezia
Like the Italian folktale this award-winning restaurant dishes up a fairytale experience. Carlie Wacker enters the world of Bella Venezia.
Stepping into Bella Venezia makes me feel like Sofia Loren – it’s old school Hollywood meets the romance of Italy. Rich gemstone-coloured velvet seating creates intimacy and luxury but the décor is just one part that makes this award winning restaurant and bar an absolute standout.
The experience of dining out is always special but made even more memorable when it provides a true sense of escapism.
One simply forgets they are only metres from the sand of Mooloolaba Beach – a hop, skip and a jump away from wet feet as you immerse yourself in a Bella Venezia affair. This is precisely why it’s a sought-after venue for special events, romantic dates and proposals.
It’s easy to get lost in the luxury of the surrounds but the food and wine demands full attention. The menu offers a first-class taste of Italy using both locally sourced products and premium quality imported Italian ingredients.
Signature dishes are coveted by the regulars like Linguine ai Gamberoni with Mooloolaba King Prawns; Tortellini Di Zucca which is a pumpkin, ricotta and macadamia nut-filled, handcrafted tortellini with noisette butter, fried sage and ricotta salata; and the world-famous Tiramisu using Seppeltsfield Grand Tokay.
They offer an a la carte menu; four-course tasting menu, vegan and children’s menus plus an extensive and very exciting wine menu that boasts over 420 wines; 50 of which are available by the glass.
This part of the experience is taken very seriously with all wines stored in temperature-controlled environments and new wines sourced regularly, including purchases from private auctions.
It’s no wonder the wine list has won them a 3 Glass rating at the 2021 and 2020 Australian Wine List of the Year Awards and honoured for its outstanding wine program in the 2020 and 2021 Wine Spectators ‘Award of Excellence’.
The Best Of Award of Excellence 2021 Wine Lists display excellent breadth across multiple winegrowing regions and/or significant vertical depth of top producers, along with superior presentation.
Typically offering 350 or more selections, the winning restaurants are destinations for serious wine lovers, showing a deep commitment to wine, both in the cellar and through their service team.
Bella Venezia Wine Director Todd Young said they were extremely pleased to be awarded such a prestigious internationally-recognised award.
“Bella Venezia is the only Sunshine Coast restaurant to receive such an award from the New York-based Wine Spectator Magazine,” he said.
“It acknowledges the dedication and investment we have placed into our extensive wine program and is great for both Mooloolaba and the region.”
They are also getting noticed locally after winning the Sunshine Coast Business Of The Year Award – Hospitality (large) and owner Kristine Young could not be prouder.
“We consistently deliver delicious modern Italian cuisine and outstanding service to over 60,000 customers a year,” she said.
“Bella Venezia has won many awards over the past five years; however, this is the award we are most proud of, due to the support from our community.”
With the challenges faced by the hospitality industry over the past few years, Bella Venezia is proud to have not only survived, but grown and expanded over the past few years.
It is open seven days and nights a week with 38 staff, including eight full time employees.
Hats off to the powerhouses behind this long lasting, iconic and fairytale restaurant, Todd and Kristine Young.
“Leadership, professionalism, and resilience drives success in our business,” she said. “We have a highly experienced team who are motivated to achieve success, and this is a result of our constant planning, reviewing and focus on constant improvement.”
It’s hard to improve perfection!
Bravo Bella Venezia!
