If you’ve been searching either for Sal Basile or the most exquisite Italian restaurant in town (or both), you’ll find them under the same roof at Bella Rosa Italian Grill on Daniels Parkway in Fort Myers. Basile owns the restaurant, tucked away just behind Woody’s in the Bella Rosa Plaza, which he also developed and owns.
It’s been a gradual but steady evolution for the native New Yorker, who has parlayed each restaurant success into something bigger and better.
Basile opened his first pizzeria 23 years ago, Taste of New York on Winkler Avenue in Fort Myers. Three years later, in the early 1980s, he opened Basile’s Restaurant next door. By 1993, he had opened Taste of New York in the Bell Tower, a restaurant that featured elements from his first two establishments. By then, Basile had also established a loyal following that appreciated his authentic, quality fare and affordable prices.
Although he has since sold all three, Basile recently realized his life-long dream of opening a fine-dining restaurant. Since its debut in May, Bella Rosa has also been a dream-come-true for diners throughout Southwest Florida. According to Basile, his newest restaurant is exactly what he’d envisioned years ago - a comfortable, affordable dining destination with a decidedly upscale atmosphere and fabulous food at lunch or dinner.
While Bella Rosa is quite attractive on the outside, it is positively gorgeous on the inside. In addition to a comfortable lounge at the front of the restaurant, there is a wine and dessert room that opens on to a terrace with outdoor seating. There is also seating near a display case filled with pastries made by Bella Rosa’s in-house pastry chef. From there, patrons may also watch homemade pizzas as they emerge from the restaurant’s brick oven.
Not surprisingly, Bella Rosa’s focal point is a spacious and elegant dining room filled with impressive details. All have been designed to create a Mediterranean backdrop unlike any other in Southwest Florida.
In addition to faux stone walls and columns, there are a number of beautiful murals, including various Michelangelo-inspired paintings on the walls and ceiling. Encircling the dining room are high-backed booths upholstered in jewel-tone, tapestry fabric. In the center of the room, wrought-iron railings help define an open, courtyard seating area. High above it floats a stunning crystal chandelier, one of the room’s most breathtaking decorative elements.
But it’s the cuisine that distinguishes Bella Rosa from the proliferation of similarly-themed restaurants in the area. Basile describes it as “Mediterranean fusion” and “nouveau Italian.” Diners describe it as heavenly.
Beginning with the dinner menu, Bella Rosa offers a wide variety of spectacular creations. Best sellers include the Veal Saltimbocca (made with proscuitto ham, fresh sage, garlic confit, aged provolone, porcini gravy and risotto) and Seared Chilean Sea Bass (served with firecracker shrimp, parmesan porcini risotto and fresh tomato in a spicy garlic sauce).
Naturally, there are numerous pasta entrees. Beyond the expected Pasta Carbonara, Lasagna, and Linguini with Clam Sauce, there are some uniquely-prepared standouts. The Zuppa da Pesce, for example, is brimming with sautéed shrimp, scallops, mussels, clams and calamari, served over linguini in a light and spicy, garlic-tomato broth. The Rusticana Pappardelle is another must-try, featuring roasted peppers, onions, mushrooms, fresh rosemary, garlic and pomodoro, tossed with fontina cheese.
Bella Rosa also offers vegetarian dishes such as Eggplant Parmesan, as well as an interesting selection of hand-tossed pizzas. Further, there is a nice selection of wood-grilled items, salads and appetizers, many of which can be found on the lunch menu, as well. The Calamari Fritta, Prince Edward Mussels and Seared Sushi-Grade Tuna are among the appetizers always served, along with a choice of grilled or traditional Antipasto.
Prices and portions tend to be the same for items served at lunch and dinner (roughly $8-$11 for pizzas and $7-$9 for appetizers). However, there are some menu differences. For example, daytime diners will find a three-cheese Calzone, available with a choice of additional fillings. There also are several choices under Bella Rosa Italian Rolls and Panini (sandwiches served with pasta salad), all featuring freshly-baked breads made daily in Bella Rosa’s kitchen. In general, dinner entrees average $12-$18, while lunch items typically range from $5-$12.
For lunch or dinner there is always a nice selection of wines (by the bottle or glass), coffees and delicious desserts. Once a month (usually the last Friday), Bella Rosa hosts a wine tasting from 9 p.m. - 11 p.m. The $15 cost includes light hors d’oeuvres. Also, each day there are two Happy Hours in the lounge (from 4 p.m. Ð 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Ð 11 p.m.) with 2-for-1 well drinks and draft beers.
Those who enjoy Bella Rosa’s high-quality fare are sure to appreciate its corporate catering services. For business meetings and other gatherings of up to 150, Bella Rosa provides meals ranging from box lunches to a variety of pastas and salads with garlic rolls, delivered to the meeting site.

(Bella Rosa Italian Grill is open daily at 8911 Daniels Parkway in Fort Myers. Lunch is served Sunday through Friday from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Dinner is served 7 days from 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Orders may also be called in for pickup. Phone: (239) 561-6969.)