Small Bites

I got an email recently praising a local restaurant. It’s so nice to hear good things about a place instead of complaints. Here’s the letter.

“As a Westchester resident,  I’ve been a huge supporter of the (slow) but steady progress New Rochelle has been making over the years to get it thriving again.

I recently hosted a small private function at a small, but really classy new restaurant in the heart of Main Street New Rochelle called BELLA BELLA.  Not in the most desirable part of town and being curious, I stopped and walked in one day.  I was pleasantly surprised when I walked in.  The interior is so warm with a great attention to detail. You feel like you’re inside an Italian villa.   The food was even better (and affordable).

I met one of the owners who apparently has never owned a restaurant before but owns a florist in town as well as their new manager â€â€Å“ a young man named Nick who was so friendly and professional it was hard to believe he is under 30.   I booked my small party there and am glad that I did â€â€Å“ it was a huge success.

In speaking with the manager, I learned he was a refugee from the war in Kosova, having lost much of his family.  He traveled by boat, train, bus and eventually air through several countries before landing here 7 years ago.     Working in restaurants all over Manhattan, not speaking a word of English (a customer asked for a screwdriver and he brought out the tool, not the drink, however neatly wrapped in a white napkin on a tray), he learned the language, came to love the American people and eventually made his way to New Rochelle where his dream was to manage his own place one day.

I never send customer service letters or letters to editors, but I was honestly warmed by the people I met at Bella Bella, enjoyed the food and would love to see them have the chance to make it a success so I thought I would pass the word around.

Summer must be a tough time to open a new restaurant and get the business going. I’d hate to see them get frustrated because New Rochelle needs more places like Bella Bella and the wonderful people who run it.

Hope you have a chance to check it out.”

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