Dine and Dish: Bella Pasta Trattoria Italiana in northwest Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Bella Pasta Trattoria Italiana at Palm and Herndon in northwest Fresno offers a blend of northern and southern Italian cuisine.

Not only does Fabian Rodriguez own the place, he creates the dishes.

“The best thing is being able to keep the quality consistent and correct the way it should be, so that’s the fun part,” he said.

Fig bruschetta combines sweet and heat.

“A little bit of feta cheese, a little drizzle of balsamic reduction,” Rodriguez said.

Chef Fabian might be a familiar face.

He has more than 30 years in the restaurant industry, from the old Harlan’s to Max’s and then Bella Pasta.

“We have the Campagnola – it’s a Pappardelle pasta, chicken, mushroom, peas, red sauce, splash of cream, so it’s like a pink sauce,” he said.

It was tremendous, as was the next dish.

“Exact same sauce, but the funny thing is you don’t put in the peas, and you substitute Italian sausage,” Rodriguez said.

The pasta is gluten-free. No eggs are used.

“It gets me a little excited because it’s something a little different, something new,” Rodriguez said. “Something that no one else is doing.”

For the actual dessert, leave room for the tiramisu.

“There’s always one person at the table that wants something, and the funny thing is everybody’s going to get a spoon,” Rodriguez said.

Bella Pasta is beautifully decorated, but Rodriguez says this is not a fine dining establishment.

“I want someone who might not dress the best, who might not look like they’re going to a show, to be able to feel comfortable to come into my restaurant,” he said.

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