Bell Paese Deli Pizzeria and Trattoria — Restaurant in Nutley

Post Covid, it seems like the Marinara Sauce in NJ has become somewhat like what they serve in California. Hence, I was happy to learn about Bell Paese (196 Franklin Ave Nutley NJ), a place known for their sauce and fresh seafood,

I walked in Bell Paese and right away noticed Scungilli and Calamari in Marinara Sauce on the menu. Still somewhat skeptical, I ordered a slice of pizza. Indeed, both the crust and sauce were different. One slice and I was a believer.

I next requested Joe (one of the owners) to make me a Scungilli & Calamari Sub. After some 10, maybe 12 minutes of robust discussion, Joe convinced me to try their Shrimp Parm Sub instead. Dominick (the other brother and co-owner) offered a sample portion of Spicy Mussel Marinara for being a good sport.

Let me pause here and tell you that a sign at the counter at Bell Paese warns you that yelling, and screaming are possible (think, “The Bear”). The sign requests you to ignore everything, to sit back, and enjoy the food. For sure this is a family run establishment, the emphasis is solely on good food.

The Shrimp Parm Sub was exceptional. Amazing sauce.

The spicy Mussel Marinara was out of this world good. It was made by Dominick. Joe assured me that the next time I visit, the Mussel Marinara will be better because typically he makes it. Needless to say, we had another round of robust discussion as to who, Joe or Dominick, makes a better Spicy Marinara.

I cannot wait to go back for the Scungilli & Calamari and also for Zupa de Pesce. At Bell Paese you get real food, made by real people. Places like Bell Paese are hard to find. Go there with an appetite, enjoy the food and enjoy...

The food is amazing I am in love with their penne and vodka pizza its to die for. I always try making it at home but I never seem to get it right like them. There timing is a little off sometimes. Around 6:00 pm on Fridays it's busy so if you are going to order just make sure that you are ok with an hour or an hour and half wait. Yes it seems for ever to wait for pizza when there are plenty other pizza places that take a quarter of that time to make the pizza you ordered and deliver. But they really seem to put there heart and soul in the food they make. I would wait 2 hours for their pizza because it's just that good. And lately I have seen some comments on how you hear sometimes scream and other loud noises in the background when ordering well If you go there as often as me you will then understand a bit of how they are. It's normal to me. I speak some Italian And I always find my self laughing more then getting annoyed with the sound. Yeah it's unperfstional but you are getting 2 for 1. One place with fantastic food and a great show. Even if you don't understand Italian still you find yourself laughing after you leaving. And there's a sign that talks about how there Italian and that's what they do ( make loud sounds ) and they apologize for their nosie ( the sign is along those line )

So go their get pizza and enjoy

I suggest : Penne and valdka slice ( pizza )

No soggy crust Not spicy Delicious Crust is golden brown not burnt Bottom crust golden brown Dosen't fall apart at all Crunchy but not to...

I've never in my life done one of these negative reviews, because frankly who wants to be that person, but I've been ordering from Bell Paese for 5 years. Everytime you call it feels like you're bothering them. I've disregarded the terrible attitude because the food is pretty good. Today I ordered at 6:55pm and I was told 45 minutes. Ok cool. Pretty standard. At around 8pm I started getting a little restless but I waited. At 8:15pm I decide ok it's time to call. I call, same crappy attitude per usual. I ask about my order and I'm told, rather unconvincingly, that it must be out because they don't have my order there. As I write this at 8:45pm my food still hasn't arrived and it's pretty safe to assume that it never will. So now I'm ordering chinese food which I'll surely regret but at least I know it will be here within 20 minutes. You lost a loyal customer today Bell Paese. Hopefully you'll take this as a reason to tighten because your food isnt good enough to overcome your...