Bella Via in LIC. In Italian, bella means beautiful. That one, simple word describes everything that will captivate you at Bella Via, a family-owned restaurant that is creating a buzz, not only in Long Island city, but throughout the city. From the charming Italian ambiance to the scrumptious food, Bella Via is the place to be.

Located only a few blocks from the Vernon-Jackson # 7 train station, Bella Via is convenient to all parts of Queens as well as Manhattan. No matter where you're coming from, Bella Via is just a short train ride away. During the Summer, you can lunch like the Italians do when you enjoy your food,outdoors, at their sidewalk cafe. In the colder weather, you can people watch to your heart's content by grabbing a table near one of the restaurant's massive picture windows. You can even take a stroll after lunch or dinner over by Gantry State Park's picturesque waterfront promenade.

Bella Via is known, far and wide, for for the very tasty coal-fired brick oven pizza. Their signature pie is the Pizza Bella Via, which is a white pie, with sausages, broccoli rabe and fresh mozzarella. The always popular Margherita pie is made with premium San Marzano tomatoes that are imported from Italy. The kitchen's soups are just like Mom or Grandma used to make. Only fresh, pure ingredients are used. The most popular soups are the Stracciatella Romana (chicken broth with egg, pasta and spinach plus a touch of grated cheese) and the veggie-packed minestrone. Entrees are a nice blend between pasta, poultry, beef and fish options. There's a great deal of variety here. Yet, the common thread is the care and craftsmanship exhibited by the kitchen.

The chicken breast topped with Prosciutto, eggplant and fontina cheese is a popular menu item as is the divinely delicious house made ricotta spinach gnocchi with tomatoes and olives. The Penne pasta with mushrooms and peas in a cream sauce and the angel hair pasta with shrimp and shitake mushrooms are also heartily recommended. Their signature antipasto is the Cozze alla Triestina which consists of mussels in a white wine sauce with onions. The kitchen also has an unusually strong selection of salad options, which you don't find in most Italian restaurants. The grilled chicken with salad is a light but very satisfying appetizer, as well.

Italian food and cheese go hand in hand. Each kind of cheese has its own unique uses, and the result can be hot and gooey or creamy and cold – either way, it’s sheer indulgence! At Bella Via, we use only the finest ingredients, from gourmet pizza toppings to every item in our homemade desserts. Here’s a look at the cheesiest of them all!

Live life to the fullest and take a real break from  your everyday routine at Bella Via.