Bella Vita Ristorant

Bella Vita Ristorante

8657 South Highland Drive

Sandy, Utah 801-666-6930

Nestled in the stunning foothills of Sandy Utah is Bella Vita Ristorante, an authentic Italian dining experience that will enlighten your taste buds and fill your heart.

Owner’s Francesco Montino and Felix Chavez began their journey together in 2007 when they both worked at a local restaurant in Salt Lake City. Francesco was a server and Felix bused tables. They immediately formed an endearing friendship. Francesco soon became a manager and one of the first things he did was offer Felix a server position.

Francesco was born in Naples, Italy and came to the United States in 1989. It was his dream to own his own restaurant. Felix laughed as he fondly remembered Francesco saying many times while working for others “One day I will own my own restaurant.”

In 2012 Francesco created that dream and opened a restaurant in the Sugarhouse area called Per Noi Bistro which translates to “For Us.” Both Francesco and Felix worked 14-16 hours a day creating a highly successful business. It wasn’t only hard work and dedication that made the restaurant a great success, it was the food.

Per Noi used trusted family recipes from mother’s, aunts, and family in Italy, everything is homemade authentic Italian food, combined with fresh ingredients. Per Noi catered to the local neighborhood and became very busy, very quickly. They began offering cooking classes and were on 8 TV cooking shows. The Salt Lake Tribune critic Ted Scheffler claimed them “Best in Utah!”

Recently Francesco and Felix joined forces to elevated their career and opened a new authentic Italian restaurant called Bella Vita in Sandy, Utah… Bella Vita means “Beautiful Life.” Bella Vita is a joint venture and labor of love for these two friends. Nothing was stopping this powerful partnership from growing. Francesco stated with pride, “When I start something, I don’t quit, I watch it bloom.” They do everything… serve, cook, bus, manage. When I came to highlight Bella Vita, Felix had to drag Francesco away from the dishwasher.

Francesco and Felix see Bella Vita as a family rather than a business. Employees come together at 4 pm every day to share a family meal before the restaurant opens, “To be together and enjoy life with one another.” Says Francesco. They both commented that they love to come to work, and it is their wish that Bella Vita is like home and their employees are happy to come to work. Felix and Francesco love people and believe if their customers and employees are happy, they are happy.

You need to experience Bella Vita’s delicious, fresh Italian cuisine yourself to understand how wonderful an experience dining at Bella Vita truly is. I enjoyed sampling the Pasta Mia with homemade pasta, cream sauce, chicken, fresh mushrooms, decadent caramelized onions, and peas, followed by homemade tiramisu. As I enjoyed my meal, watching homemade pasta being made and listening to inspiring music, I thought I may possibly be in heaven. I fully understand why their food earned “Best of Utah.”

Whether you want to impress a date or enjoy a relaxing family night out, make Bella Vita your next dining destination. I’m sure you will enjoy the homemade authentic Italian cuisine in the ambiance of their elegant dining room or out on the patio with live music and views of the mountains.

Bella Vita Ristorante

8657 South Highland Drive, Sandy, Utah

801-866-6930

By Grace Elizabeth