First look: Mia Bella

After nearly two-and-a-half years of sitting vacant, the former Corbo’s space at the corner of Mayfield and Murray Hill is now home to Little Italy’s newest restaurant—Mia Bella.

Food: This is Little Italy after all, so the main focus is Italian—Northern Italian to be exact. But look a little closer and you’ll also see other Mediterranean influences including Turkey, Greece and Albania throughout the menu, thanks to the owner’s roots.

The overall focus on the menu and the chef’s approach to food is simple and eagerly shared with every diner: create simple food that’s sustainable in practice with an emphasis on supporting the surrounding community.

On a recent visit, we started off with Buffalo mozzarella for the table with thick tomato slices, thinly-sliced prosciutto and green olives ($6). For dinner, we tried the chef’s favorite pizza—nine inches of pesto, thin-sliced chorizo, onions, pepper and smoked mozzarella atop thick crust ($9) and the veal braciole ($21) with hardboiled egg, breadcrumbs, ricotta and some other super secret chef ingredients that no one was over eager to share.

This was an interesting dining experience filled with ups and downs starting with the disappointing appetizer. The prosciutto was tough and cheese rubbery. Then we dug into the pizza. With the exception of the crust, this also fell short of expectations (and certainly not the 'best pizza in the neighborhood' as described by our server). Not to mention the almost nonexistent chorizo and peppers. But then came the braciole. The expectation was for more of the same, but that was not the case here. The tender veal was tightly wrapped around perfectly-packed and flavorful ingredients—and lots of cheese. The braciole was surrounded by a delightfully thick marinara sauce, which we nearly soaked up every last bite with the bread. It was an incredibly satisfying dish that left us wondering how it came out of the same kitchen as the first two dishes.

Libations: What Italian restaurant would be complete without wine? Mia Bella has a nice selection of wines from around the world, including plenty of options by the glass. If you’re not in the mood for a little vino, there’s a full bar complete with daily drinking specials as well as plenty of beer options.

Décor: Weather permitting; grab a seat outside on the sidewalk alongside the building. Any seat along Little Italy, particularly this corner, is the best seat around, complete with people watching and the sights and smells of this beloved neighborhood. If it’s a seat inside you’re after, you’ll enjoy the open and airy space of this somewhat small and intimate restaurant. And of course, you can do that same people watching by a handful of tables next to the large windows.

Service: Our service was impeccable and welcoming. The uber-friendly owner continually walks around the dining room, engaging with guests and making sure everyone is enjoying themselves.

Insider tip: Parking options in Little Italy aren’t overflowing.Therefore, free valet Monday through Thursday is a nice touch.

Bottom line: While this wouldn’t be our first choice when dining out in Little Italy, there are definitely some bright spots that make it worth exploring.