Nov. 1, 2003 – The restaurant formerly known as Alexander’s Café in Frenchtown is now the all new Bella Blu.
The eatery opened quietly last weekend with a new look, new menu, new art work on the walls, and new music pumping out a whole new beat for the once traditional, white-table-clothed café.
Owner Alexander Treml said, after 15 years, it was truly time for a change.
"We wanted to create a really upbeat atmosphere," Treml said Saturday night, as he emerged from the kitchen just long enough to greet his guests.
And upbeat it is. Gone are the linen tablecloths replaced with midnight blue speckled table tops, matching silver chairs and well-placed, contemporary lighting that spotlights the works of art on the light blue walls as well as on the tables.
Highly polished wood floors, an expanded window behind the bar, and spare metal glass holders and wine racks make the spot sparkle with fresh energy that carries over to the new menu.
Gone is the Austrian owner's famous wiener schnitzel, replaced with veal chop Milanese with arugula and tomato compote. But one can't think of the new menu items as replacements – Bella Blu has whole new food feeling and philosophy.
Saffron and Parmesan reggiano risotto, and fennel fritters stand along side lamb tagine, fritto misto or tuna tartar with grilled bread. The whole idea is to mix and match and the prices make that affordable.
Treml says the fare cannot be called tapas, and the portions are larger than traditional tapas, but still have a Mediterranean feel and a tapas price range.
"The whole idea is to share the food," he says. "Try a little of everything."
The menu also includes personal pizzas.
So, if you're in the mood to try a little of everything in a lively, casual atmosphere, find your way back to that well-known corner in Frenchtown, where a blue awning with Bella Blu emblazoned across it has replaced the green one that formerly graced the front of the Frenchtown café known in another era as Alexander's Café.
One thing that remains the same are the hours and the suggestion to obtain reservations for dinner.
Lunch is served 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., dinner 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Call 340-774-4349 for reservations.
Take a look at the complete menu .
