By Janie Machinchick

If you’re looking for a memorable dining experience, Bellarte Restaurant is a genuine treat for your palate, as well as your senses. From Caesar salad prepared tableside, to the fine selection of wines from all around the world, and the certified Angus beef, Bellarte specializes in the finest steaks and seafood with a distinct Italian flair.

Bellarte’s Italian atmosphere is not only classy, but is artfully tasteful and elegantly intimate. The impeccably attentive wait staff welcomes guests with a presentation of the evening’s specials, as well as a sample of each cut of prime beef on the menu. The restaurant is distinguished for its certified Angus beef, which is dry-aged, with humidity and temperature controlled to maximize the aging process. In fact, the steaks are so tender you can cut them with a butter knife!

Choose from a grilled 14-ounce N.Y. Strip steak, a classic 10-ounce filet or the infamous Rustic Cowboy Steak, brushed with brown butter and cracked black pepper. Steaks are served with your choice of freshly made Hollandaise, Béarnaise or an Espresso Demiglace, which is a must-try. With any steaks, the Chef recommends Castello Banfi wine, such as Brunello di Montalcino or Groth and Hartford Red Zinfandel.

Appetizers and salads are plentiful at Bellarte, with favorites such as Red and Yellow Tomato Bruschetta served on grilled Tuscan toast, and the Bellarte salad, a wonderful mix of baby greens, marinated Portobello, and plum tomato tossed with hearty Gorgonzola and balsamic vinaigrette. Order a Caesar salad and you’ll be impressed with the flavor and the presentation. It’s prepared tableside and to your specifications!

If you love pasta, the Lobster Ravioli alla Aurora is a tantalizing delight. It’s tossed in a creamy marinara with roasted red peppers and served with a generous amount of delectable lobster. The Pan-Seared Rare Tuna Loin is another house specialty, served with fresh baby artichoke, asparagus and a light citrus-basil sauce.

For dessert, the Bananas Foster served tableside is a fitting finale to your dining experience. You can also feast on an all-time Italian favorite, Tiramisu. Or, try the Maple Marscapone Cheesecake, a to-die-for cheesecake with toasted walnut shortbread crust and maple reduction glaze.

Bellarte’s lunch crowd can feast on a scaled-down version of the dinner menu, as well as deliciously hearty sandwiches with a hint of Italian pizzazz. The Lobster Club, served on a giant croissant, includes Maine lobster meat amidst chunks of pineapple, bacon, red onion, lettuce, tomato and guacamole. Mouthwatering, to say the least! Or, try the Roasted Turkey and Brie Melt on Marble Rye. The Cherry Chicken Salad Sandwich is a lunchtime favorite, which includes poached chicken with hearty slices of Brie, sun dried cherries and watercress in a creamy herb dressing.

Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, Bellarte serves the very finest in cuisine.
Bellarte Restaurant is located inside, the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, 12600 Roosevelt Blvd., St. Petersburg; 727-561-7332. Only daily from 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. with a full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu.