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OUR LATEST REVIEW
April 28, 2005 This one from Winnetka Talk in the SRO section Loerzel, Ingram and Andries Wedding central: The heated tent went up March 1 at La Bella Winnetka to accommodate the demand for wedding receptions and rehearsal dinners. "It used to be May 1" said La Bella's owner Georgio Gigiolio. "But we have 70 weddings coming up. We may keep the tent up until December." To make sure his patrons are comfortable this summer, even if there is a wedding party in the tent, Gigiolio has a new outdoor patio with umbrella tables, white tablecloths and seating for 120. Bella! |
Other Reviews
Chicago Tribune
Friday Dining
WORLD EATS
As Italian fare, osso buco is far from hollow
La Bella Winnetka offers up its osso buco in a dramatic dining room - tented ceiling, hundreds of white mini-lights and dark walls. (In summer, there's a charming 160 seat outdoor garden.)
The music coming from the speakers around the room hits the classics, from Luciano to Dean-o.
La Bella's osso buco ($21) is covered in a mince of carrots, onions and celery and is accompanied by risotto alla Milanese, a saffron risotto.
August 7, 2004
Winnetka Talk
STANDING ROOM ONLY
Loerzel, Ingram and Andries
The (other) Donald: Movie stars have dined at La Bella Winnetka - including Martin Scorese, no less than seven times - but the restaurant has attracted one of its most powerful guests yet. In town this month for his niece's wedding, Donald Rumsfeld was at La Bella. Owner Georgio Gigiolio says he got a laugh out of the secretary when he greeted him by saying, "Oh, is that you? What are you doing here? You lost your job?"
June 2004
North Shore Magazine
Manet Captured the true sensuality of eating outdoorswhen he painted his monumental "Dejeuner Sur L'Herbe" It feels decadent, even self-indulgent to dine in the open air, or as the italians say, "al fresco." So with this in mind, and in honor of June weather, we scoured the North Shore in search of the best patio or sidewalk tables. Here are our ten favorites, covering a variety of cuisines. See you outside.
Al Fresco
Ten North Shore restaurants where the outdoor dining is divine
By Cynthia Clampitt - Photography by Alan Sue
This charming, Zagat-rated restaurant offers a good selection of expertly prepared Italian classics, such as its award winning osso buco, linguini with pesto, chicken Vesuvio, spaghetti aglio e olio chicken or veal Marsala, chicken saltimbocca, and eggplant Parmesan. In addition, there are some interesting surprises on the menu, including lobster cappellacci and posillipo, a black calamari-ink pasta layered with baby shrimp, scallops, crabmeat and cheese in a tomato seafood cream sause.
The dightful outdoor facilities of La Bella Winnetka have two parts. Immediately adjacent to the back of the restaurant is a red brick patio surrounded by evergreen schrubs and trees. Light is provided from a line of torches, and there is a tall sculpural fountain. Views of elegant Chestnut Court and the surrounding greenery contribute to the Old World charm of this outdoor dining area. Just beyond this patio is a larger area that is covered by a tent. The tent, which can accomodate 165, is decorated with thousands of Italian lights and the same grape-and-vine motif found inside the restaurant. The sides of the tent can be closed if it rains, and there are heaters for chilly evenings, thus guaranteeing that a dinner or event planned for the outdoors can take place regardless of the weather. Both spaces are available for regular dining but can also be reserved for special events.
Chicago Tribune
Friday Dining
Hot Spots, Cool Views, Dining that's a feast for your eyes
Restaurant Critic Phil Vettel
Moonlight Dining
"My favorite outdoor dining spots combine good food with a commitment to comfort...
In the suburbs, dining under the tent at La Bella Winnetka is like crashing someone's wedding (on some night's you actually might be crashing someone's wedding)."