Bella Monica

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Table That Feels Like Family

The story of Bella Monica begins at a grandmother's table. Sunday gatherings where the smell of "gravy" simmering on the stove greeted you at the door, where aunts, uncles, and cousins filled the hours with pasta and laughter — that is the feeling chef/owner Corbett Monica and his wife Julie set out to recreate when they opened this neighborhood trattoria in Olde Raleigh Village in 2000. The name "La Famiglia" is not just a mailing list; it is the operating philosophy.

Nana's Recipes, Faithfully Kept

The Italian cooking at Bella Monica is rooted in tradition and made with fresh ingredients, just as Nana would have insisted. The dinner menu reads like a greatest-hits of the Italian-American table: eight-layer meat lasagne built with local ground beef, ricotta, and Nana's gravy; Mom's Spaghetti & Meatballs; Baked Ziti; Eggplant Rollatini; and Chicken Parmigiana served over spaghetti. Alongside those classics, the kitchen reaches further — Rigatoni Veal Bolognese with Chianti-braised veal, Shrimp & Calamari over squid ink linguine with Calabrese sausage and red pepper crema, and a Wild Coho Salmon finished with caper burro sauce and orzo.

Antipasti show the same care: Mom's Old School Meatballs arrive with gravy, ricotta, and Pecorino; Beef Carpaccio is sourced from local beef; and the Polenta uses Anson Mills grain with a balsamico reduction. The flatbread selection is generous, from a straightforward Margherita to the Vongole topped with clams, pancetta, garlic, and fresh mozzarella.

For guests with dietary needs, the menu extends thoughtfully — dedicated gluten-free and vegan sections mean the table genuinely has room for everyone.

Wine Worth Noting

The wine program earned Bella Monica a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, recognition that speaks to the depth and curation of a list designed to complement Italian cuisine properly. Whether you are working through a bottle of something Tuscan or exploring the by-the-glass options, the pairing is taken seriously here.

The Room and the Reach

Bella Monica operates as a full neighborhood resource — lunch and dinner service, online ordering, catering (including a dedicated gluten-free catering program), and private dining for events. The atmosphere carries the warmth its origin story promises: guests are welcomed to linger, share, and return, exactly as they would at Nana's table.