After just a few years in its current spot — with one of the chicest modern design schemes of any St. Pete restaurant — Bella Brava is moving a few blocks away to the bayfront. The new location at 200 Beach Drive encompasses three different office and retail spots, which will require fairly massive construction and remodeling to whip it into restaurant shape. Bella Brava plans to move to the new spot in August, with the current location staying open until then.
Rotating chef Domenica Macchia, hired by Bella Brava several months ago, looks to be settled in this restaurant for a while. She's turned the menu into a more affordable, more approachable version of real Italian home-cooking, so maybe the new spot will reflect that with a less sleek look than the current decor.
This article appears in Jan 20-26, 2010.