A trip to Bella Italia was needed after it announced a new bold dish
Paul McAuley is a Senior Life Reporter for the Liverpool ECHO, focusing on communities from all walks of life who make the city so diverse and rich.
From new restaurant openings to cultural events, Paul specialises in covering everything that’s going on across the city.
Moving from Ireland, Paul studied journalism at Liverpool John Moores University before joining the ECHO in the summer of 2021. You can reach him on Twitter or his email.
Our total meal came to just under £70
Bella Italia recently added a “bold” new dish to its menu, and bold indeed it was. The restaurant, on Ranelagh Street, has all the usual offerings you’d expect at any standard Italian.
The list of options included the classics mushroom al-forno, tomato bruschetta, meatballs, lasagna, Pomodoro mozzarella and pollo cacciatore available to order. This was all before you even laid your eyes on the extensive pizza selection. Despite umming and ahing over what I was going to order, I already knew why I was there before the charming Guner showed us to our seats.
I was after Bella Italia’s newest creation – The Katsu Carbonara. Yes, you read that right. The venue has launched a new meal which sees the mixture of arguably two of the most popular dishes in the UK.
Bella Italia’s pasta fusion dish
Available until October 12, the Katsu Carbonara is tossed in a Carbonara sauce infused with katsu curry flavours, finished with slices of breaded chicken. And as a nod to National Katsu Day, guests can try the limited-edition dish for £1 on Wednesday, September 24 – all day, at participating restaurants, including Liverpool.
However, I was eager to get in before all the commotion and so forked out the £17.49 for it. While the taste of the dish shouldn’t work it surprisingly does.
It was the type of meal that had you setting the fork down, insisting you were finished and then claiming you were only taking a breather before tucking right back in. The taste isn’t where the issue was for me – it was the texture.
The pasta of choice is obviously spaghetti and so it was hard to wrap your head around that as opposed to your standard miniscule grains of rice. Perhaps a smaller pasta shell, like penne, would’ve made it easier on the mind the process – or at least mine anyway.
Bella Italia’s pasta fusion dish
Speaking about the new dish, a Bella Italia spokesperson said: “Our guests love us for our Italian classics from creamy Carbonara to oven-baked Lasagne and fresh Margherita Pizza.
“The new Katsu Carbonara brings something exciting and unexpected to the table, blending the best of Italian comfort food with bold Japanese flavours.
“As part of our pasta revolution, we’re continuing to make pasta the star of the show, from time-honoured favourites to daring new creations like this one. And with £1 Katsu Day, there’s no better time to give it a try.”
Away from the dish, my go-to was the Pollo Funghi. The £15.99 dish is fresh mafalda pasta pieces with pulled chicken and chestnut mushrooms in a creamy porcini sauce, enriched with mascarpone cheese and fresh parsley.
It was an indulgent flavour that was properly balanced with the mushrooms adding an earthy taste and ideal texture. Add in a savoury protein punch with the chicken and it’s definitely a dish I’d return for.
The pasta gives a sense of comfort. It’s hearty and filling and exactly what you need as the cold and wet nights creep in.