There are few Italian restaurants around the United States that match up to a genuine authenticity of flavor, and even interior ambiance. Luckily for those in the greater Birmingham area, you will be met with such high standards of success when visiting Bellini’s Ristorante & Bar.
L’inizio
Opening their doors in April of 2008, the owners of Bellini’s realized it was a great opportunity to bring the finer side of life to Birmingham. Though one might not suspect or associate Birmingham, Alabama with fine Italian dining, no one could be prepared for the true elegance, sophistication and refinement that Bellini’s offers its guests.
General Manager Katie Stickland tells me that the owners have both always had a love for truly decadent food and beautifully cultivated wine. They were tired, however, of long drives in order to find the restaurants that were, shall we say, a bit more upper crust in nature.
“Thus, Bellini’s became a sprout of an idea that has since blossomed into the restaurant we have today. A place for friends and family alike to come and enjoy a fantastic meal, indulge in a delicious glass of wine and be pampered by the staff.” And all of this is so very true.
What is most notable about Bellini’s is not just the food (which is a mouthwatering and show stopping experience in and of itself). It’s the atmosphere, intimate setting and soft-spoken attention to detail by all of the wait staff. From the impeccable precision of the bartenders to the formal and courteous approach of the servers, there is nothing that is unchecked, unmarked or gone unnoticed by the entire team of Bellini’s.
Making each and every guest feel spoiled, put up on a pedestal and spoken to as though they were VIP – no matter who they are – gives the guest the sense of being made to feel exceptionally special, and well looked after.
The Interior Design
The setting of Bellini’s is something that plays a key role in the overall feel of the restaurant. The intimate lighting, candles, rustic architecture and overall décor transported me back to my days in Tuscany. Whether this was the owners’ intention or not, they nailed the ambiance of the restaurant to feel and appear very similar to a more exclusive dining experience in a remote Tuscan village.
“Our interior design was a collaboration between our owners to provide an upscale feel, while still maintaining a warm, welcoming aura. Our brick and mortar walls, lush curtains, and wine wall are truly the standout décor choices that have awed our guests over the years. Walking in off the street from the hustle and bustle of Highway 280 to our quiet and comforting restaurant truly transforms the mood and gives off the delicate ambiance the owners were seeking,” Kate tells me.
The notable nod to all their wines is very eye catching as well in the main dining area, as the back wall has dozens of different wines that are showcased in a stunning fashion. The sight of all the lovely bottles makes you question just how many you might be able to taste in one sitting, and one is hopeful that you’re given a chance to experiment with your guess.
The Drinks
The name is a nod to the well-known Italian cocktail, the Bellini. Kate tells me that the name suited the whimsy and fun the owners enjoy. It’s also a great reminder when sitting at the bar to indulge in an actual Bellini, which went down quite smoothly, I must say.
The Bellini is not the only drink that you need to try while you’re visiting the same-named restaurant, though. I took it upon myself to cease the opportunity of being in Alabama and having my very first Alabama Slamma, upon request. And oh my goodness – this is not the last time I will be having that cocktail. In between cocktails, I was also given a little nosh to, well, nosh. The most divine homemade garlic bread, and homemade olive oil to pair. As I say in the video, I would have been content just eating the bread all night.
I was anticipating the food to be even half as good as the bread…and boy oh boy, was I in for a real treat.
Bellini has a lot more going for it than just the incredible cocktails – which were indeed incredible.
“At Bellinis,” Kate says, “we pride ourselves on our main philosophy being ‘our passion is your food and your service’ and it seems to be just that, that keeps our guests coming in and drawing the attention of new guests.” She goes on to tell me about the beautiful environment they’ve curated to enjoy some of Birmingham’s best wines. And she’s not kidding.
Not only did I highly enjoy my glass of Nebbiolo, an imported Italian wine (of course), I went home with a bottle of it. That’s how amazing it really was. When I ask Kate to tell me more about the wines they have on offer, she tells me in detail just how serious they are about them.
“Bellini’s offers 178 different wines that were hand selected to pair with our classic Italian cuisine, 25 of which are offered as a “by the glass” option. We offer wines from all over the world and many different varietals so as to appeal and appease as many of our wine drinkers as possible. Our staff is trained on the differences in the grapes and which wines pair best with each of our dishes to help guide those who are less experienced in wine, but still want to enjoy a glass with their meal.” It’s this kind of attention to detail and great effort that makes Bellini’s stand out above the rest.
To end the evening as a nice coupling with my dessert, I had to have a Godiva Martini. What is that you ask? Oh, just a little bit of heaven in a cocktail glass. Kalua and some other alcoholic ingredients go into what can only be described as an adult chocolate milkshake. This was just as good, if not better than the pre-meal cocktails of which I’d partaken.
But it’s not just the cocktails and wine that make Bellini’s special. Nor is it the cocktails, wine and interior design. It’s not just the wine, cocktails, interior design or the unparalleled service here. It’s also the food.
The Menu
Ah, yes, the food. How could we come this far and not discuss the food? This is the signature staple of the restaurant. All the amazing, incredible, delicious food. Pick something off the menu, and you will undoubtedly go crazy for the flavors, textures and creativity that went into making these amazing dishes.
While some of the items on the menu may not be classicly Italian, that does not mean they were not delicious and unworthy of either mentioning or ordering. Or even re-ordering. Yes, some of them indeed, I would go back to Alabama just to have some more of each of the items.
Mainly and most specifically here are the top 4 items you cannot leave Bellini’s without trying.
4. Coming in last, but very close is their lasagna. While the other three items I list were my favorites, this lasagna was quite certainly the best I have ever had stateside. Having lived in Italy for over a decade, I am quite picky about the lasagna I eat, and the quality I have had over the time I’ve been back home, and without a doubt, this is hands down the closest I’ve had to a real, genuine Italian lasagna, and the chef should be applauded for his successful efforts in making this one taste as authentic as you can get.
3. White Chocolate Bread Pudding. Don’t even think about leaving the restaurant without tasting this. No, it’s not Italian in the slightest, but it is Southern, and it’s beyond incredible. Normally, I would not even mention a dessert in my top rated items for the evening, but this was truly one of the best desserts I’ve ever had a restaurant bar none, that it most definitely deserves mentioning. Even if you might not be a fan of bread pudding, I have very little doubt this item will inevitably change your mind and your opinion on the classic dessert.
2. Fettuccine Alfredo with Shrimp. Pasta Alfredo is not a thing in Italy. At all. You will never find it on a menu in the home country, but this classic Americanized Italian-ish dish is one of my favorites, and Bellini’s executed it to a tee. The cream, cheese, flavor and texture is spot on perfect and just the way it should be.
1. Filet Mignon with mashed potatoes. No one is more surprised than me that at an Italian restaurant my favorite item on the menu happened to be the steak. The executive chef was genius in the way he prepared the meat, coming out perfectly and the flavors – forget about it! The entire dish was almost too pretty to cut into, but man, was it worth it.
Some honorable mentions would be their Wedding Soup and Sausage, Pepper Pizza. Truly everything was a food adventure, and I won’t lie, I’m kind of sad that I don’t live closer to the restaurant as this would be a regular spot for me if it were.
But these were just my main picks. The restaurant’s signature dish is actually one that I did not have the opportunity to try that evening. Which is the Seafood Risotto with Parmesan Reggiano. Prepared with risotto, fresh gulf shrimp, diver scallops and grouper, it’s all tossed in a sherry cream sauce with leeks, shallots, onions and Conecuh sausage.
While the most popular dish seems to be their Chicken Parmigiana. Made with penne noodles and tossed in a house made marinara, chicken scallopine and topped with melted mozzarella cheese and fresh basil.
Why Bellini’s
Bellini’s has it all, and is a 5-star in my book. There is absolutely nothing lacking here, and in fact, more restaurants should follow suit. From the classy service, to the intimate ambiance, the stellar wines, and the exceptional food, Bellini’s has it all. So what are you waiting for? You know you want some mouthwatering food, some amazing cocktails and wine and take your date to a terribly romantic restaurant for dinner. Just make sure that when you book your reservation at Bellini’s, you let them know that Lisa sent you!
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