Mamma Mia! Popular Stoke-on-Trent restaurant relocates - and is aiming to serve up the best Italian dishes for its customers

La Bella Napoli has re-opened after it moved to Picaddily in Hanley.

fter months of planning one of Stoke-on-Trent’s most popular restaurants has relocated to new premises just a stone's throw away.

La Bella Napoli, which opened in Cheapside, Hanley, in 1981, has now moved to Piccadilly, across the road from The Regent Theatre.

The building, formerly the Piccadilly Brasserie, has had a complete refurbishment with a modern interior.

But the family-run business still plans to serve up the best authentic Italian dishes for its loyal customers.

Owner Marcela Hoxhaj, aged 35, said: “La Bella Napoli first opened in Hanley in 1981 and my family took it over in 2000.

“It was time to move from Cheapside as we were leasing the old building and it was time for an uplift.

“I was looking at opening somewhere in Cheshire but this building came up. It is more central and is opposite The Regent Theatre, which is the main engine for Hanley. Being opposite the theatre is the icing on the cake. If it were not for the theatre we would have moved to Cheshire.”

The restaurant has 70 covers across two floors with the toilets and a function room upstairs.

Marcela, who works at the front of the house, added: “Everything is brand new.

“We have tried to keep it a little bit rustic.

“We have an open kitchen as it is always nice for people to see their food being cooked. It gives people more confidence.

“The main menu is the same although we have added a few new dishes and we have a brand new lunch menu as I think people prefer having little bits at lunchtime rather than two or three courses.

“People can eat in or eat out.”

Ledion, who is head chef together with Manuel Casarotto, said: “It is really exciting. It is a new project and we are looking forward to a new era.

“It was sad to leave the old place because we were there a long time. But is is exciting to be here and we are looking forward to customers coming and trying our new restaurant.”
La Bella Napoli now has 70 covers across two floors and a function room.
Manuel, aged 33, who has worked at the restaurant for seven years, said: “I am still going to be cooking the same fantastic food.

“The kitchen is bigger than the old one and the venue is a great mix of the older, rustic look and the more modern. It is the perfect mix and match.
The venue has seats at the bar so customers can have a drink before dining
“I am looking forward to the new challenge and hope it is going to be even busier than the old restaurant.”

Diner Karl Wright, aged 56, of Biddulph, was impressed with the new venue. He said: “I have used La Bella Napoli many times and I just thought I would see what the new place is like.

“It is very fresh and modern and is right up-to-date.

Karl Wright, aged 56, of Biddulph, enjoyed his dining experience at the new La Bella Napoli.
“I had vegetable soup and a king prawn risotto and it was excellent, just as the food at La Bella Napoli has always been.”
 The restaurant is open from noon until 10pm, although bookings can be taken for after an evening show at the theatre.

Article from: https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink/mamma-mia-popular-stoke-trent-3446475