Get ready folks. #TheBaldOne is about to go over the top in praise. You could call this “An Ode To Bella Verona.” Composing this little social media post is a bit nerve wracking because this meal included a couple of good friends, #TheEditorQueen and her Brooklyn born and bred escort #PaddleBallPat. These two have loved this spot forever, so they were elated to return and see the new space. The fear is deep that editing corrections for this post will be forthcoming, or that the ghost of Joe Gallo will somehow pay a visit to our BaldGuy.

If you haven’t seen the expanded dining at Bella Verona rest assured that the quaint and cozy, Little Italy feel has been preserved in a lovely manner. Tin ceiling, tongue and groove paneling, and friendly, accessible staff all contribute to a relaxing meal.

Calamari al Forno con Polenta – Baked calamari with garlic and white wine served over polenta was one of two starters. Tender, very tender calamari with a nice hint of garlic is the star of this plate, but my goodness the polenta itself deserves a bit of the limelight. Also making a delicious and attractive appearance was Carciofini in Carrozza – Marinated artichoke hearts served with prosciutto and fresh mozzarella.

Somehow all three of our hungry heroes chose veal dishes. The most important thing to note is the veal here is the real, fresh tender deal. On the table we saw Scaloppine di Vitello alla Bolognese -Sauteéd veal covered with ham and mozzarella chesse, in tomato cream sauce, Scaloppine di Vitello alla Milanese – Breaded veal cutlets, and the Veal Marsala from the specials board. There’s no need to get into the details except to say that every dish was exceptional in appearance, aroma, and taste. Our paddle ball pro also asked for a side of al dente pasta and sauce. Or did he mean gravy? The sauce was perfect.

Old friends reconnecting always leads to great conversation. In this case the subject careened from old anecdotes, to #OurFavoriteSurvivor, politics, cosa nostra, and experiences of the extraterrestrial kind. If they are out there, we are sure that they’d love Bella Verona.

https://www.bellaverona.com/

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Bella Verona

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Haddock Livorno at Bella Verona as enjoyed last night by #BlueEyes, our intrepid food adventurer. Livornese is a fragrant light tomato sauce made with white wine capers, and black olives.

Bella Verona recently expanded their dining room. Make some time soon to check it out.

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Chicken Assunta at Bella Verona courtesy of #BlueEyes.

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Bella Verona served a a couple of nice pasta plates to #FilmFestBoss and #ThisIsElegance the other night, That Marsala looks good enough to fight over.

http://bellaverona.com/

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We generally try to avoid anything related to politics on this page. However, there is occasion when worlds collide and this is one of them. The letter below was sent to the The Salem News regarding the outdoor seating proposed for Bella Verona on Essex Street. The City Council meets tonight to vote to either approve, as recommended by committee, or disapprove the proposal.

“Salem awarded outdoor dining to all 24 restaurants that asked; all but one: Bella Verona. Bella Verona has been part of the fabric of Salem for 27 years. Behind the denial is a souvenir shop next door to Bella Verona whose owner has lodged various grievances with Salem since renting her storefront in 2020.

In response, the city has held two hearings, at which the complainant herself could not be bothered to appear. Meanwhile, the livelihood of Bella Verona’s owner and workers is in jeopardy. The essence of the shop owner’s complaints purport to be about safety and traffic. Nobody disputes that Essex Street is narrow, cars are obliged to travel slowly in the immediate area. The city’s barriers do not impede traffic as much as they make it safer while allowing for outdoor seating.

Lockdown restrictions devastated many small businesses. Bella Verona’s employees have worked incredibly hard to adjust, and with outdoor seating has allowed it to compete with the dozens of other establishments given the al fresco privilege.

While I cannot speak for why a store owner would prefer to hamstring its neighbor than to benefit from additional foot traffic that comes from Bella Verona, she has the ear of city councilors, and I am hopeful that reason will prevail. Certainly less draconian measures can be used to mitigate such issues? Is cutting off a significant component of Bella Verona’s business the only solution?

Please consider attending the next meeting (May 25).”

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The Salem Licensing Board meets tonight and there are a few Salem restaurant related items on the agenda. Chief among those items is a vote to approve or deny 23 applications for seasonal outdoor dining. These spots became very popular during COVID and played a big part in keeping many of our local spots in business. Most of them used spots that previously been dedicated to parking, and some even took up a traffic lane for the season. This resulted in much discussion then, and now.

The city has been staging jersey barriers in preparation for some of these patios/decks.

Bella Verona has already been informed that their application will be denied and there is a petition circulating asking the board to reconsider. You can call or email the Licensing Board clerk or City Council Liaison Domingo Dominguez with your thoughts, one way or the other using the ink below.

https://www.salemma.gov/licensing-board

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Veal Marsala at Bella Verona.

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The good folks at Bella Verona are offering delivery services beginning today.

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Bella Verona lost their patio tent in last night’s storm.

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Bella Verona is still serving up their classic Italian dishes.

EDITED to correct that there has been no change in ownership.

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Bella Verona was another place where #BlueEyes dined recently. This Chicken Piccata was enjoyed on their Essex Street patio.

http://bellaverona.com/

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Bella Verona would love to see you and a few friends this weekend.

http://bellaverona.com/

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The patio at Bella Verona on Essex Street is soon to be in action.

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A plate of Tagliatelle that was enjoyed al fresco on the patio at Bella Verona on a summer’s evening last year. We hop to see more patio meals at Bella soon.

http://bellaverona.com/

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Bella Verona is helping out the Marblehead Community Charter Public School with their Take-out Tuesday event tomorrow, 2 February.

This school accepts students from Salem and other surrounding communities. Enjoy a delicious meal and help out the Navigators at the same time.

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Keep Bella Verona in mind for your take-out dinners. Of course you can eat in there also. They have installed plexi-glass dividers.

Gift certificates are available for that favorite family member, friend, or neighbor. Maybe you postal service delivery person likes a little Italian nosh now and then.

http://www.bellaverona.com/

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Tagliatelle with strips of veal, peas, artichokes and mushrooms in light cream sauce, though I think they goofed and it was Marsala sauce at Bella Verona.

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Yes there is seating for Bella Verona.

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Bella Verona is offering a special Restaurant Week style menu.

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