Bella

Granville finally has another much-needed dining option in its downtown shopping district. Bella offers Italian comfort food in a comfy, Tuscan farmhouse-style environment. Reasonably priced, all entrees (including pasta, pizza and chicken, salmon, and steak) are near or under $20. The nicely sized portions offer the flavors of Italy: pungent olives, spicy-sweet sausage and earthy mushrooms. And they don't shy away from garlic here! The pizza is the standout dish, baked in a wood-fired oven that turns out a thin, crispy crust. The wild mushroom pizza we sampled ($10.50) combined crimini mushrooms with fresh-tasting sausage, banana peppers and a sweet tomato sauce. We also tried the pesto pasta ($14.50), a generous portion of linguini, kalamata olives, artichokes and tomatoes that offered big flavor but was a little too heavy on the oil. An excellent list of wines by the glass emphasizes Italian varietals (and makes up for the Bella's rather ho-hum beer offerings). The warm interior with its brick walls and polished woodwork, combined with the hearty fare and great wine list, makes this the perfect cold weather sanctuary.