Ask The Chefs

Bella Notte is exceptional due in part to the creativity and expertise in our kitchen. Our chefs create original recipes that blend homestyle, Italian cooking with a dash of the unexpected. Our skilled kitchen crew handcrafts each meal from the freshest ingredients available. If you have a question or comment about the menu, or you're just looking for cooking tips from the pros, submit your comment by clicking here. Selected submissions will be posted on this page.


Submitted By: Alisha
Question: Hello, I had lunch with my Mom there for the first time this year. We had never eaten at Bella notte before. We were VERY impressed. I had the tomato soup with the chicken in it. It was the best soup I have ever eaten! We both loved the herbs you serve with the bread and oil so we each bought a cup of it. I am almost out! I live a days drive from you. Would you consider sharing the recipe for the herb mix? Many thanks, Alisha

Chef's Answer: Thank you for writing to us at Bella Notte! I appreciate your comments on our Spicy Tomato Basil Soup with Wood-Fire Grilled Chicken! It is definitely a favorite with many guests! I'm afraid our recipe for our Fresh Herb Blend is a closely guarded family secret. We do offer it for sale in the restaurant, and we'd be happy to prepare that for you the next time you are here. Once again, thanks for writing to us! We look forward to serving you again soon!



Submitted By: Amanda
Question: I absolutely love your butternut squash soup! It is good anytime of the year! I have tried to duplicate the recipe, and can't get the correct amount of cream. Could you share the recipe? Thanks so much!

Chef's Answer: Thanks for writing to us at Bella Notte! Every year, our guests start asking about our delicious Butternut Squash Soup as early as July. Of course we have to wait until autumn for the butternut squash to be in season, and at it's peak in taste. It's absolutely a favorite with many guests! I wish I could share the recipe, but it is a closely guarded family secret. I can tell you that we use only the freshest, and highest quality ingredients. Thanks again for writing to us at Bella Notte!



Submitted By: Dustin epperson
Question: Bella Notte is my favorite restaurant. My girlfriend and I eat there everytime we're in Lexington. I reccommend it to all of my co-workers. However, she lives about 100 miles away. We love the herbs and bread, but our favorite is the Spicy Tomato Basil soup! I was wondering if you could provide the recipe for the soup and the mix of herbs for the appetizer. Thanks in advance, Dustin.

Chef's Answer: Thanks for the kind words! We always enjoy visiting with our guests that have moved away! We appreciate you making Bella Notte part of your homecoming! The Tomato-Basil Soup with Wood-Fire Grilled Chicken is one of our most popular foods; and it's one of my favorites, too. The recipe is a closely-guarded family recipe, but I can tell you this much ... we use only the freshest, highest quality ingredients. You can taste the difference! And we use only the best heavy cream in the recipe. It's not low-fat, but it is delicious! Thanks again, and we'll look forward to serving you again, soon!



Submitted By: Carolyn Costello
Question: Hello. I was at your restaurant recently with my family and I ordered the Roasted Tuscan Rosemary Chicken. It was one of the most delicious meals I've ever eaten. I was wondering if you could share the recipe? Thanks very much for your consideration.

Chef's Answer: The secret to our roasted chicken is the marination process! We marinate our Tuscan Chickens for 24 hours before roasting! Be sure to select a fresh chicken; I suggest going to Good Foods Co-Op, they have locally raised, organic chickens Make an emulsion of 6 parts olive oil to 1 part fresh squeezed lemon juice and crush the fresh herbs with the back of a kitchen knife before adding. Tie chicken legs and wings (or have your butcher do it) to hold the legs and thighs tightly up against the chicken to promote even cooking of the different meat. As far as roasting in the home oven, I suggest 375F for about 30-40 minutes for a 3 pound chicken, always check the internal temperature in the thickest part of the chicken using a kitchen thermometer for a temperature of 165F.



Submitted By: John Southern
Question: So what sets Bella Notte apart from other similar restaurants? What is it that really makes your plates your serve talk louder than the rest?

Chef's Answer: What makes our food special is the care we put into handling each and every product, the amount of time spent creating almost everything from scratch on a daily basis as well as sourcing local produce and fresh fruits! Our commitment to sourcing sustainable fishing practices helping to protect our natural resources also plays a major role in our recipes. But probably to sum it all up, the commitment to our guests is to take perfectly fresh, whole ingredients and try to do as little as possible, enhancing and complimenting natural flavors. We want to represent Italian cuisine thru our actions and simple preparations instead of a certain dish or flavor.



Submitted By: Alexis
Question: My child is allergic to dairy, eggs and nuts. I also want him to eat natural foods without preservatives, msg, etc. Any recommendations on what he can eat.

Chef's Answer: I would recommend, first off, to do your grocery shopping at a organic/local store; in Lexington KY there is Good Foods Co-Op on Southland Drive. Stick to seasonal fruits and vegetables and incorporate as many complex carbs for regular carbs as possible, for example: whole wheat bread over white bread, brown rice vs. white rice, sweet potatoes, legumes and so on. As far as dining in a restaurant, locally owned is much better off than large Chains, you will get a much fresher meal! Bella Notte and Smashing Tomato uses many local resources for our menus vegetables and fruit as well as naturally raised beef with 100% vegetarian diets, sustainable fishing practices for our fresh fish and our brigade of chefs is adept at tweaking any item on our menu to better fit your specifications for any dietary needs. Outside of our restaurants, stick to whole foods that are in season. I hope this helps!