Business Spotlight: Fresh ingredients are key for Antioch's Bella Cucina

Name of Business: Bella Cucina

Type of business: Italian restaurant

Owner: Essy Abtahi

Founded: October 2009

Address: 2376 Buchanan Road, Antioch

Phone number: 925-755-7530

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday

Number of employees: eight

Products and services: Northern Italian cuisine, featuring pasta, ravioli, chicken, fish and beef dishes. Menu features everything from individual pizzas, linguine aglio, fettuccini Alfredo, Capellini de pollo and Italian desserts. Bella Cucina offers eat-in, takeout, indoor and outdoor tables, catering and in restaurant parties.

How did you get into the business?: Abtahi's grandmother and mother were both in the restaurant business while he was growing up. Abtahi himself has owned 16 previous restaurants throughout the Bay Area. Aside from this new restaurant, Abtahi also co-owns another restaurant in the county. He opened the restaurant in Antioch because it is close to his home and he was interested in slowing down and working closer to home.
Best part about the business?: "The people who are happy with my food," he said. "Every time some comes to the window and tells the food was good makes me happy."

Worst part about the business?: Abtahi said he couldn't think of anything that is bad. He enjoys working in the restaurant business.

Key to success: "Make everything from scratch and with fresh ingredients," he said.
He also said that he is accommodating to his customers. "If they want something special I try my best to make it for them," he said.

Biggest misperception about the business: "It is important to make everything fresh," he said. Many times people don't like Italian restaurants or any restaurant for that matter because they make their food from canned products that they purchase from wholesale stores. Abtahi said that it is important to make everything from scratch and use fresh products.

"I cook may sauce from scratch and it can take 48 hours to three days for it to completely cook," he said. "A lot of times restaurants make cream sauce out of half and half. That is not a good way."

He also said he only uses natural ingredients to make his desserts. "People like it better that way," he said. "Everything fresh."

Future plans: Abtahi said that everything is set up and going well in the new restaurant. He said that he is looking forward to the holiday season and is offering catering services for holiday parties and dinners. He also said special dinners are available at the restaurant as well.
— Roni Gehlke