Opening Bella Italia Ristorante was a way to bring a piece of Italy to Northwest Montana, owner Beldy Doda said. The name itself means Beautiful Italy in Italian.
From Milan, Italy, Doda values a proper Italian meal. He speaks in Italian with his kitchen staff and there are a handful of dishes that Doda must make himself — like the risotto or the Frutti de mare — to make sure they’re “perfect.”
Doda and his wife, Jocelyn, opened the restaurant on Main Street in Kalispell in 2022, serving classic Italian entrees. This year, they moved to the intersection of U.S. 2 and East Idaho Street, marking an incredible transition, Doda said.
After moving to Kalispell from Italy in 2011, he bought Total Lawn Care and coached soccer — one of his biggest passions aside from food. Growing up in Italy, food was central to existence. It is reminiscent of family time, celebrations and of caring for the people around oneself.
“Thinking of Italy, I was trying to see what else I need here to make it feel like home. And the idea came to open a restaurant,” Doda said.
Each dish is flavored with intention. Carrying the penne alla vodka with chicken out of the kitchen, the aroma hits everyone in its path. The sauce is thick and creamy, and made from Italian tomatoes. The recipe is a secret, of course, Doda said.
Everything is made in-house, including the star of the show: classic marinara sauce. Mama’s lasagna, one of the most popular menu items, is smothered with the rich sauce and cooked both on the stove and in the oven, each bite a complex mix of rich Italian spice.
The vongole marinate — a sauce-based fresh manila clam dish — comes out with a sheet of warm dough over the top. Once cut into, the smell of white wine, lemon and spice emerges from the bowl.
Everything on the menu is reflective of Italy, Doda said. The restaurant is a place to gather with community and family, also reflective of Doda’s Italian roots.
“When you cook Italian food, you cook it with a passion. You smell it, you taste it, you feel it. You’re eating it with your family… it’s a culture,” Doda said.
The idea to move off of Main Street to Evergreen came over a year ago when the owners of Two Brother’s Cafe, who are friends of the Dodas, decided to move to Illinois. They asked Doda if he would be interested in moving into the space.
“It was unexpected, but I thought this location was wonderful,” Doda said. He was excited to bring more late-night dining to the Evergreen area.
Since the cafe was known for breakfast and lunch, Doda added an American breakfast to the menu with some Italian flair. Lunch is a combination of American and Italian entrees, and the dinner menu is a true Italian feature.
“We’re super family friendly and focused,” Doda said. “We want everybody here to enjoy and feel at home.”
Bella Italia Ristorante is located at 1390 U.S. 2 East. It is open for dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. It is open for breakfast and lunch every day from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or [email protected].
Mama’s Lasagna at Bella Italia Ristorante in Evergreen on Wednesday, Nov. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider 
Bella Italia Ristorante in Evergreen on Wednesday, Nov. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider 
Penne Alla Vodka at Bella Italia Ristorante in Evergreen on Wednesday, Nov. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider 
Bledy Doda flambés a vodka sauce for a dish at Bella Italia Ristorante in Evergreen on Wednesday, Nov. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider 
Tiramisu at Bella Italia Ristorante in Evergreen on Wednesday, Nov. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider 
Vongole Marinate at Bella Italia Ristorante in Evergreen on Wednesday, Nov. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Dining and Cooking