Bella Sera Restaurant-Williamstown
As Reviewed by the Fearless Foodies
Deb Cavalieri and Rebecca Russell

WARNING: This restaurant review contains NO exaggerations. The use of
superlatives is purely intended. ;)

On a recent weekday evening, I had the opportunity to dine with my fellow Fearless Foodie at Bella Sera Restaurant in Williamstown, Gloucester County (formerly Café Capri). The chef features an authentic rustic Southern Italian cuisine. Our dining experience was a complete and total pleasure  Bella Sera means ‘beautiful evening’ in Italian, and our evening was just that.

Owner/Chef Marco Muzzupappa, a graduate of The Academy of Culinary Arts at Atlantic Cape College, declared without hesitation that his inspiration comes first and foremost from his mother, Nancy, along with other family in Calabria, Italy. His skills were honed by his mentor and teacher, Mike Williams, to whom he still refers for advice and friendship.  The Chef described a typical day in the restaurant business, heading out early to Philly’s fish market and produce mart. He also uses as much locally grown produce as possible, and we can testify to the freshness of each of the courses served. 

Along with a basket of bread and olive oil/spice dip, we were presented with fagiolatta, a paste like spread for the bread (yummy).  The Chef quickly sent out an antipasto consisting of capicola, proscuitto, salami, and olives, two or three appetizers (we lost count), one consisting of three types of sliced mushrooms with chopped garlic and olive oil (each as delectable as the other).  This was followed by scarmoza, smoked mozzarella cheese topped with shitake mushrooms and topped with a vinegar reduction. I cannot forget the stuffed artichokes, topped with arugula and chopped shrimp, as this dish had me wanting to lick the plate and not miss a drop!!

Our delightful, knowledgeable, and entirely professional server, David, then wheeled out to tableside a marvelous concoction that apparently goes over extremely well with regular patrons. The porcini risotto was presented in a large wheel of parmesan-reggiano cheese, delicately mixed to infuse the cheese flavor into the risotto, covering our taste buds in a most creamy and rich flavor. 

Unbeknownst to the Fearless Foodies, the fun had just begun. The table was cleared and we were soon presented with an exquisite entrée consisting of veal medallions, which were perfectly cooked and tender, topped with crabmeat, and plated beautifully in a presentation consisting of potatoes, zucchini, broccoli, green beans and cherry tomatoes. The sauce was light and subtly complemented the flavor of everything on the plate! Our next entrée was bronzino, a whole white fish masterfully filleted tableside by David, a presentation we watched with awed amazement. The amazement was complete when we tasted this dish.

We finished our dinner with a hot cup of cappuccino, so perfectly blended, and then were offered a choice of several different cakes and pastries that proved a sweet and delicious end to a perfect meal.  We both agreed that this is definitely a restaurant that we need to come back to again (and again). . .as soon as our appetites come back!

The restaurant has a lovely ambience with mellow but sufficient lighting along with music that is soothing yet not overbearing. The atmosphere is conducive to a meal with a date or a friend or friends to catch up on life’s happenings. YOU will want to be the one remembered for introducing your friends to Bella Sera, so be sure to put it on your short list of things to do!! The restaurant is easy to find from any direction. With GPS in hand, you will be there in no time flat. We were so happy to find it and are pleased to be able to send you there, too.

The food at Bella Sera can be likened to an unforgettable lover-the tastes linger in your mind and you keep going back for more. Really, it is that good!! A truly lovely evening…

Join Chef Marco as he showcases his culinary skills at the Grand Re-opening  on October 14, 2011, when specials and live music shall be featured from 4 p.m. to closing. Reservations for this event are suggested.
Website:  www.bellaseraonline.com
Facebook: Bella Sera
Phone: 856-629-8000
745 Corkery Lane, Williamstown, New Jersey 08094
B.Y.O.B.

Debra Cavalieri is an attorney with an office in Washington Township. She is also the proud mother of two boys.

You may reach her at 856-228-0222 or email her at debracavlaw4@gmail.com with any of your legal concerns.

Rebecca Russell enjoys relaxing at the shore with her Cocker Spaniel, Brinkley, cooking, baking, photography and drawing. She also enjoys trying local BYOB’s and winemaking. Rebecca also enjoys travelling and collecting antiques.

Rebecca can be reached at:  rrussell@bayada.com