Richie, Rose's Father, famous for his old-fashioned donuts.
Rose’s Grandmother and family, Pauline, Marie, Pat, Nick, Nick Jr., and Mikey at Paula's Diner, Bridgeport
A classic Marie's menu. Rose's mother is on the left.
Rose, Owner of Bella's Cafe
Since 2000, Bella's Cafe has delivered unforgettable dining experiences to our customers. Bella's Cafe is a stylish and cozy cafe set in the heart of the New Haven's Westville community. We serve breakfast and lunch during the week and brunch on the weekend. Many trusted sources consider us as one of the best places to dine when visiting New Haven. If you don't believe us, we urge you to come in and have a meal with us. If you'd rather enjoy our food in your own setting, we offer a full catering menu for your next private or corporate event.
Our cooks are simply inspired and enthusiastic about producing inventive meals that provide a modern perspective to traditional ingredients. With a high regard for seasonality, flavor and presentation, our restaurant has gained a first-class reputation for gastronomy. Not to mention, our staff is hospitably warm and well informed.
Memorable dishes like the Italian Style French Toast or the Shrimp and Grits are examples of why people swarm to Bella's on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Our farm fresh salads and stomach satisfying sandwiches are reasons people stop in for lunch during the week. If you're ever in the neighborhood, drop on by.
Our Story
Rose Foote, the owner of Bella's, comes from three generations of cooks. Her Grandmother, who was an immigrant from Italy, opened up Paula's Diner in Bridgeport and her grandfather, Nick "The Greek" owned Nick's Diner, which was also in Bridgeport. Her first real experience was at age 9, when she started helping her parents in their restaurant, Marie's Luncheonette in Trumbull. Rose learned her way around the kitchen, but more importantly, she developed her work ethic. Rose can remember spending afternoons at Marie's doing homework or eating one of her father's famous old fashion cinnamon doughnuts. Her childhood experiences would carry over into her adult life. In 1985, she went on to open her own catering service simply called, "Rose's Distinctive Catering." Her adventures in cooking would soon lead her to travel to Italy with the CIA on a culinary tour throughout Tuscany, where she continued to develop her international flare for cooking.
Rose opened Bella's in the year 2000 and has since been featured in a number of publications for her talents as a chef and restauranteur. Bella's brings people from all walks of life together to share the simple pleasure of a deliciously cooked meal with a table full of friends and family.
Rose credits her success to her faith, her parents, and her family.