Last week we were invited to Bella Italia for lunch, now we are a family that loves eating out, it’s a chance to get your family together with no social media, Xbox, phones ringing or any other distraction. Eating out with them is almost like having a captive audience.
We visited the Didsbury restaurant, part of the Parrs wood leisure complex. Now I hadn’t been to Parrs wood but it really is fantastic, and has everything you need for a family afternoon, restaurants, cinema, gym and bowling.
We were greeted by Graham who showed us to our seats. The Boys were thrilled to have a booth; funny this can make of break a meal for the Christie boys. If there are booths available then they want to sit in one.
Graham spent a little time explaining the menu; I had pre warned them that Jack is diabetic and he spent some time explaining portion sizes etc. This is always a great help as, once we know portion sizes Jack can sort his injections and we can relax, so Thank you Graham.
We then met our waitress Audrey, who immediately brought out bread sticks for the boys, which kept them happy whilst they decided what to choose from the menu. We ordered drinks, which came quickly; Joe was thrilled that his came in a jar with a curly straw, which Audrey told him he could take home.
Once we had decided (which took me ages, I love Italian food and there were so many nice options) Our starters came fairly swiftly but then we had appropriate intervals between each course. There is nothing worse than courses coming to quickly or indeed having huge gaps of time and the kids getting fed up. On this score Bella Italia got it so right.
The boys loved the choice at the Gelato stand, and the fact that they could have chocolate covered popping candy made their day. The choice was extensive and reminded me of a Gelato shop we love to visit in Italy, it felt so authentic.
The decor was cool and contemporary and felt so Italian, we spent some time looking at pictures on the wall reminiscing over family trips to Italy, which I might add has made us all want to go back soon.
We loved Bella Italia, I can not fault the service Audrey and Graham were fantastic, the food was great and the atmosphere, well, so good it has made us want to revisit beautiful Italy.
It’s the little things that matter when eating out as family, and when the boys are happy it’s a chilled enjoyable experience for us. Bella Italia certainly ticked all the boxes for a great family lunch.
This post was created in collaboration with the lovely people from Bella Italia, but the opinions are our own.
`This looks like a great place to have a meal. I’ve never been to Italy but am certainly partial to the food ;D I would also be in my element to have chocolate covered popping candy, two of my favourite sweeties in one! xxx
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It was tasty Katie, oh i love Italy you should et hubby to take you for a romantic weekend x
I’ve never been to this one, think my boy’s will also enjoy it! I love the photo you’ve used of Joe! He’s a little stunner……..I know Suzie thinks he is!!
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Ah thanks Louise, they will its fab and he loves Suzie so much xx
That ice cream choice looks fab. Full marks to Bella Italia!
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Thanks Karen, I am so fussy and it was lovely there x
Sounds like you had a lovely meal and the ice cream with chocolate popping candy, would ave made my day too!! Great post xx
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Thanks Heledd it was lovely, and great family time too x
Oh wow is that blue ice cream how cool sounds like a lovely place I do love Italian! X
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Yes it was bubblegum Amy, I love Italian too and the decor was so modern yet authentic x
I’m sure there was a Bella Italia in Kingston when we lived there! I love Italian food — any excuse to go and eat pasta is always welcome 😉 X
Caro | http://www.thetwinklediaries.co.uk
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Thanks Caro, this was a new branch and beautiful very modern xx
Oooh I love italian it’s one of my favourites and that one looks amazing. May have to visit there one day. I would also really really love to visit Italy (lucky you that you already have!). Hubby and I looked at getting married there but in the end we wasnt able. Fingers crossed we may still get there one day though. In the meantime, I’ll just keep eating their delicious food 😉
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Janine, Italy is incredible the atmosphere is just so beautiful, once you go once you just want to keep returning xx
Great post! It’s so good that you had a knowledgable waiter so that you could relax. Looks like you had a fab time with your beautiful little fam xxx
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Thanks Maria, yes it makes such a difference and yes family time is so special isn’t it? x
I haven’t ben to a Bella Italia in ages – but looks like I may need to make a visit soon- hello ice-cream bar! so glad you son got to keep the straw – I always have to keep the straws! Lovely review xx
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Thanks Bonnie, it was fab we had a lovely afternoon x
Oh wow Sarah – looks like you had a gorgeous dinner and it looks so scrummy!
Also, I’ve never noticed how much your littlest is the IMAGE of you!! xxxxxx
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Ah thanks Katie, yes Joe is like me, bless him. And lunch was fab thank you x