Jim and Nancy do not disclose the fact that they will review a restaurant before they attend, ensuring their reviews are unbiased and uninfluenced by their position with My Sun Day News.
Old habits die hard. Nancy and I lived in Hoffman Estates for over 33 years before moving to Del Webb. We still seem to gravitate to that area when it comes to doctors, shopping, and dining out. Nancy is also the master of the old “bait and switch.” She tempts me to go out to lunch, and when we are halfway to the restaurant, much to my chagrin, she asks me as long as we’re out here…She asks if we can go to two grocery stores, a craft store, a pet shop (for Rosie), and to Kohl’s for a few tops. The bait today was the Bella Napoli Woodfired Pizza and Bar in Schaumburg.
Bella Napoli Woodfired Pizza and Bar
1540 N. Roselle Road
Schaumburg 60195
(847) 519-7555
bellawoodfired.com
Directions: Take Rte. 47 South to I-90 East to Roselle Road, South to restaurant.
Estimated Travel Time: 25 minutes
The interior does not seem like a pizza joint. It is a very large venue with modern upscale décor with an eye-catching electric fireplace on the back stone wall. It has a huge bar with high top tables, and the dining area has all standard type tables. Next to the bar is their woodfired pizza oven with a chef making pizzas. They also have a very attractive outside patio when weather permits.
We ordered our drinks and something caught our eye on the Chef’s Specials menu and since it was so creative, we had to try it: the (2) Stuffed Sweet Peppers ($15). This was cubanelle sweet peppers stuffed with Italian sausage, topped with melted Italian cheeses, and baked with a San Marzano sauce on top. When the peppers arrived, they blew us away. The sweetness of the peppers combined with the sausage and gooey cheese was amazing. But what made it pop was the balsamic drizzle that they added on top. The manager walked by our table and we suggested to him that this should be on their regular menu since it was a delicious and creative appetizer. He said thank you and he was going to go and tell the chef what we told him.
Both of us had a taste for pasta and pizza so we decided to split our dinners with each other. We ordered the Pistachio Pesto Pasta ($19). This was gemelli pasta with basil, pistachios, parmesan reggiano cheeses, and toasted bread crumbs. This came with two crostinis. We were disappointed with the dish. It seemed to us the chef made a rookie mistake and didn’t salt the pasta water, so that’s when we asked our waitress for a salt shaker. That made all the difference in the pasta dish.
For our pizza, we decided on the Charred Pepperoni ($19). This was pesto, crisp cup pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and chili infused hot honey. The pizza was cooked to perfection. The dough was light and airy, and the pepperoni cups were charred and delicious. The hot honey was tasty but it could have used more.
When you order an entrée at most Italian restaurant’s they give you a basket of crusty Italian bread with olive oil and parmesan cheese for dipping. This restaurant didn’t, and it was sorely missed.
NOTE TO CHEF: When you are making a batch of pistachio pesto sauce, use more than one pistachio nut.
FYI: This restaurant is handicap accessible.
The price for a sodium free lunch was $61.61. As Jimmy Buffet would say, “looking for my lost shaker of salt.”
Jim’s take: I would expect some pistachios for the $19. Pasta is cheap!!!
Nancy’s take: That appetizer was to die for, even though I am usually not a lover of Italian sausage.
Have comments or restaurant suggestions for the Dining Duo? Send them an email at thediningduo@gmail.com
