A Napoli-born chef is to take over a restaurant formerly home to a top-rated Italian after its unexpected closure.
Franco de Cesare is hoping to bring a slice of his home country to his new venture, Bella Mia in Pudding Lane, Maidstone.
Franco de Cesare outside Bella Mia in Pudding Lane, Maidstone
The restaurant will be opening in the building previously occupied by La Villetta, which had boasted 4.7 stars on TripAdvisor.
That shut suddenly last year, and no reason has been given for the closure.
Franco bought the unit in February and has spent the last five months bringing his vision to life.
The 60-year-old said: “I want to make this a proper, authentic Italian restaurant.
“Like when you go to Sorrento or the Amalfi Coast – I want this to feel the same.”
Franco de Cesare is promising classic Italian dishes, made authentically
Franco, who moved from Italy to England 32 years ago, previously co-owned two Kent restaurants – Cacio e Pepe in Rochester, which has since closed, and another branch in Sidcup, which is still trading but which he is no longer involved with.
But now he is realising a long-held ambition to open his own authentic Italian, and is promising Napoli-style pizzas, an extensive wine menu and music from the Mediterranean.
There will be dishes from the classic carbonara – the traditional way without cream – to hot and cold antipasti and desserts including tiramisu.
Weekly specials will also feature, and Franco is not afraid to make adaptations for customers.
He’ll also be doing breakfasts.
The dad-of-four laughed: “When I came to England, a lot of people didn’t understand Italian cuisine – they would eat and drink it but didn’t know what was good and what was not.
The building was formerly home to La Villetta
“Now the English are more clever than the Italians.”
The restaurant will feature a total of 75 covers across two floors, as well as a bar serving cocktails.
It will also offer the opportunity to book a private party room and have a catering service to hire.
Bella Mia, named after an endearing term the chef uses for his partner and daughter, is set to open next week.
Franco said: “I want it to be the best Italian in town and a place people keep coming back to.”
The eatery will open from 8am to 5pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 9am to 3pm on Sundays.
Between Thursdays and Saturdays, there will be a split service running from 8am to 3pm and then from 5pm to 11pm.
Dining and Cooking