WEST CAPE MAY – Discover why Bella Vida Garden Café has remained locals’ preferred eatery since the early 1900s. Healthy food choices have earned Bella Vida on Broadway, in West Cape May, the welcome accolade “A Local Café with a Wholesome Aroma”. As unique as its name, (“Bella” meaning “beautiful” in Italian and “Vida” slang for “life” in Spanish), this quaint, family friendly restaurant is no longer Cape May’s best kept secret. Owners and operators, the local Monge family, draw from their personal travel experiences and impressions when creating Bella Vida’s innovative dishes. Chris and Christopher Monge enjoy productive vacations, while surfing overseas, collecting unique items to incorporate Costa Rican cuisine with a Cape May twist plus their Italian heritage into the restaurant’s diverse menu.
Voted Cape May County’s “Best Breakfast”, Bella Vida’s morning specialties are served daily from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., giving early and late risers an equal opportunity to enjoy these unique dishes. Kick off the day with a cool fresh pressed Carrot Juice, Fruit Smoothie, Espresso, Cappuccino or a hot Organic Costa Rican Coffee. Cape May’s “Hottest Hotcakes” include sweet potato and multigrain and are gluten free. Try them fresh fruit-filled or filled with chocolate chips. Select one of the many “ultimate” omelets such as Jeannie’s favorite, the Jeremiah 29:11 named after her favorite Bible verse, made with spinach, tomato and feta cheese. Sample a tasty Seafood Omelet or experience the Southwestern flavor of the Breakfast Burritos and Quesadillas.
For lunch, the “Bella” mouth watering half pound burgers, homemade soups, veggie delights, wraps and salads keep diners coming back for more. With many sensational salads including the Mermaid Margaret’s Seafood Salad made with a scoop of shrimp and crab salad served on a bed of Romaine with avocado, tomatoes and cheddar jack. Signature sandwiches such as the Jeanine Panini – spinach, portabella, avocado, provolone, and veganaise on multigrain bread – perfectly marry the best of the healthy and flavorful food worlds.
From 5 p.m., dinner is a casual treat featuring vegetable stir-fries, seafood specialties, homemade ravioli, and homemade jumbo lump crab cakes. The Parmesan Herb-Encrusted Tilapia entrée features fine dining taste with a unique “Bella” twist with its white wine sauce and crab meat finish.
Bella Vida, located at 406 North Broadway in West Cape May, offers plenty of options for the omnivore, but specializes in exceptional vegan and vegetarian dishes. Voted “Best Vegetarian 2008” by NJ Monthly Magazine, Bella Vida Garden Café offers a relaxed dining atmosphere in an eclectic and inviting ambiance. Take a seat at one of the comfortable charming, garden tables, where your pup is welcome; feel as if you are enjoying Bella’s healthy yet delectable dishes in your very own backyard. Visit www.bellavidacafe.com for complete menus including an extensive gluten free menu and healthy alternative choices.
