That’s Amore; New Italian restaraunt, Bella Victoria, opens in Austin
Published 9:20 am Sunday, October 22, 2017
- the husband and wife team of Mario and Magdalena are the managers of the new Bella Victoria, now open across from Riverside Arena. Photos by Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
There’s a good chance that when you walk into Austin’s new Italian restaurant, Bella Victoria, you might get a hug from Mario Victoria, whose smile and demeanor speak of good will and good food.
“Every single customer we had yesterday, they told us how glad they were that we were here,” he said, smiling.
Chef Carlos Victoria, right, runs the kitchen of the Bella Victoria serving Italian food to Austin.
The restaurant, just south of Riverside Arena on Fourth Street Southeast and the former site of the 1910 restaurant, opened Thursday. Mario Victoria and his wife, Magdalena (who Mario says is the “Bella” in the name), operate the establishment with chef Carlos Victoria, Mario’s brother, and Carlos’ son, Fernando. They hail most recently from Rochester.
Although they have family who work at the Victoria Ristorante in Rochester, the restaurants are not connected. However, Mario and Carlos and family have a long history in the restaurant business, said Mario.
The strength of the cooking comes from Carlos, who has experience in many chef kitchens, from The Bellagio and The Aladdin in Las Vegas, to Uptown Amore in Minneapolis.
The dining area has visitors eating in a rustic settings. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
He is excited about serving up favorites and new dishes in a town that, Mario said, “did not have an Italian restaurant; we wanted to bring Italian good eating to Austin,” he said.
“It is our dream,” agreed Magdalena.
Carlos said he is constantly changing up and trying new recipes, which will be regularly incorporated into the menu.
The Bella Victoria menu looks extensive, but Mario said it is actually a smaller list compared to what eventually will be offered. The 19-entree dinner menu ranges from varied pasta dishes incorporating seafood and chicken; it also features rib-eye steak.
Carlos Victoria says his most sought-after dishes include lasagne, and Frutti di Mare, a seafood pasta dish full of jumbo and baby shrimp, scallops and mussels.
Personal pizzas, burgers, appetizers, soups and salads round out the menu.
The bar area of Bella Victoria was once the original spot of The 1910. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.
The restaurant, which seats about 100, has been fashioned with tables and booths under muted lighting; on the east end is a full bar with a stage that Mario said will host karaoke nights, as well as live music.
A ballroom that runs alongside the restaurant could eventually be home to wedding receptions, baby showers or youth events, said Magdalena. More to come on that front, they said.
They are glad to be here, they said, and look forward to meeting more of Austin and the surrounding area.
“We want healthy fun here,” Magdalena said.
For parties, or other questions, please call 507-396-8800.
