LaBella Napoli
Operating a successful restaurant seems to come as natural to Umberto Deluca as his amazing skills in the kitchen.
Born in Naples Italy, Deluca’s culinary talents came from a deep respect for his culture and the traditional dishes his mother prepared when he was growing up. And he took those passions into his own restaurant, La Bella Napoli, which he first opened in Spring Hill in 1991.
Known for its signature dishes, traditional flavors and amazing “family-focused” atmosphere, La Bella Napoli quickly became an icon in the community, building a customer base that would continue to follow the restaurant through two location changes and a span of time in between.
Umberto has a significant background in the restaurant business, working in the industry for family after coming to the US when he was just 22 years old. He branched out on his own, after discovering Spring Hill, and opened the original La Bella Napoli on Kass Circle.
In 1999, he moved his restaurant to Mariner Boulevard where it thrived until 2006 when he decided to retire with his wife, Jeanne. They wanted to spend time with their family.
“I sold the business and the building,” Umberto said. “But I didn’t sell the name.”
Umberto and Jeanne Deluca reopened the restaurant in Weeki Wachee, off Shoal Line Blvd., in 2010. “I basically got bored,” Umberto said. “I looked around and this location was open. So we re-established La Bella Napoli.”
Although coming up on two years at its new location, La Bella Napoli is still being rediscovered by past customers who didn’t realize the couple had reopened. It now resides in a beautiful facility as cozy and inviting as the mouthwatering food it serves.
La Bella Napoli’s longevity, Umberto said, has a lot to do with its solid reputation. “We are a good establishment,” he said, “where people can get good food at a fair price and good quality.”
It has become a repeat location for loyal customers who also book their special events like baptisms, receptions and parties and have for years. In fact, the Deluca’s have watched many of their customers’ children grew up in their restaurant.
The best indicator of success is solid continuity of customers. And La Bella Napoli has consistently made its mark in the community, no matter where the restaurant resides.
“I make everything fresh to order,” Umberto chimed in. “I can cook anybody’s meal to their own specifications. I can do that because I am the one that cooks everything.”
With 27 years as a creative chef, Umberto has established his own unique style. “Everything for the most part is traditional Italian home cooking,” he said. With some unique creativity, he crafts his dishes that fall somewhere between the Northern and Southern regions. “It’s not too creamy like the north and not too spicy like the south,” he said.
Everything that comes through Umberto’s kitchen is custom made to order to the customer’s specifications. “Every single dish goes through my hands,” he said.
The menu is filled with an amazing selection of traditional Italian inspired dishes like Eggplant Parmigiana, Rigatoni AL Formo and Gnocchi & Meat Sauce. Seafood favorites include fried Calamari, Shrimp Scampi and Seafood Serafino (clams, mussels, battered salmon and shrimp sautéed in garlic), the house specialty.
La Bella Napoli also has a full catering menu for seminars, banquets, birthday parties, meetings and rehearsal dinners.
The restaurant is open Tuesday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Early bird specials are offered daily until 5 p.m.
“Our customers are not just customers,” Jeanne Deluca said. “They are our friends.”
Name: La Bella Napoli
Location: 7390 Shoal Line Boulevard, Weeki Wachee
Telephone: (352) 556-5274
Online: Facebook.com/labellanapoli
