Fat Freddy Says…

Eat-In/Take-out/Delivery
895 W Eisenhower Pkwy
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
(734) 222-9994
A Fat Freddy Favorite
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We all know the key to Fat Freddy’s heart is cannoli. We also know Fat Freddy loves pizza. So what happens when the love of cannoli meets good New York style pizza? Well, if you’re in Ann Arbor, Michigan — the answer is Bella Italia Pizza & Pasta.

Let’s start two points here… First, New York style. In my opinion, any quality pizza made outside of New York City is “New York Style.” Pizza made within the city (such as Brooklyn Heights) can be called, simply, “Pizza.” Secondly, I don’t consider much of what they call pizza today pizza. That deep dish style creation from Chicago? Not pizza. Domino’s? Not pizza. Get my point? Pizza to me is not just throwing sauce and cheese on bread and going “Hey, look at what I got… I got Pizza.” No, Pizza to me is almost a religious institution. Honestly, if you have ever said to yourself… “Wow, Domino’s pizza is so good” then please stop reading this review. In fact, please don’t read any more of my reviews as I am unable to help you. Ok… where was I? Oh yeah, Bella Italia.

Ann Arbor, Michigan truly amazes me. There are excellent restaurants here. I mean, truly great food can be eaten in the greater Detroit area. And yet, when it comes to Latin Food and Pizza — well let’s just say I’ve been somewhat disappointed. Maybe it’s because Ann Arbor is too close to Chicago… or maybe it’s just because the evil Domino’s was born just a town away… but whatever the reason, until Bella Italia, I thought I’d have to visit Brooklyn for a good slice.

Enter Bella Italia. Located in the Collonnade, Bella Italia finds itself surrounded by Panera Bread and Moe’s. The restaurant maintains a small dine-in area that surrounds the pizza kitchen. While you eat, you can watch the dough being tossed and let’s just say a great aroma fills the entire store. If you walked in hungry, within 5 seconds you’ll be starving. That’s how good the place smells.

Starving won’t be a problem — the portions are huge. Fat Freddy was able to split a small Caesar salad with his girlfriend. That’s right, the girlfriend is able to trump the “Fat Freddy doesn’t share food” rule. But seriously, very, very large portions. A full menu will find many pasta creations, salads, appetizers, and well of course, Pizza.

The pizza definitely earns the title, New York Style. Basically, good New York style pizza uses hand tossed crust providing wide, thin slices that you can eat by folding the slice in half and smiling. We ordered two medium pies — one “well-done” pepperoni and a regular Italian Sausage. Both were fantastic. The well-done pizza was crispy, crunchy, and as the girlfriend said, “goooood.” The Italian pie was excellent — with my only criticism being the sausage itself. The sausage tasted great (don’t get me wrong), I just prefer the wide strip style instead of the little sausage-ball style.

The service at Bella Italia was great. Our server Natalie always checked on us, smiled, offered pleasant conversation, and did this despite being very busy. You know the places where the staff immediately get rude when there’s too many customers? This is not one of them. This is just a great place to eat. Friendly staff, local owners (Jim and Katie), great food, seriously… just a great restaurant.

Now let’s get to dessert… Cannoli. They have other desserts, but as we all know, Fat Freddy LOVES cannoli. And sadly, I am very critical of cannoli. I have said this in the past:

Since I love cannoli so passionately, I am probably one of its harshest critics. For me to enjoy a cannoli it has to be exceptional by normal standards. This would entitle it to receive an “ok” on my standards. Fantastic means that even though it has fallen on the ground, it is so good that you must pick it up and continue eating. It’s just that good.

With that, I am proud to say that the Bella Italia cannoli is fantastic.

5 Boilers!

Bella Italia Pizza & Pasta
Eat-in/Take-out/Delivery
895 W Eisenhower Pkwy
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
(734) 222-9994
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