New Italian restaurant, Bella Vita at Waterside, coming to Lakewood Ranch
While vacationing in Italy recently, restaurateur Giuseppe “Peppe” Del Sole brought along a shopping list.
Namely, for tables, chairs, and decor for the cocktail bar to provide Italian atmosphere for his new restaurant, Bella Vita at Waterside, planned for Lakewood Ranch.
And there was something else: a red Fiat 500 Pizza Oven.
The car, with the engine removed, has been converted into a Neapolitan pizza oven. It is sure to be a conversation starter at the Italian restaurant, expected to open in the first half of 2022.
Del Sole is also a partner in Napulè at 7129 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, known for its menu that covers the bases from pizza to fresh pasta, sauces, bread and desserts.
“Our philosophy is to provide a good product — quality, and not quantity. We work with a lot of seafood and meats as well. We are going to make all the breads, pastas and desserts fresh every day,” Del Sole, 44, said.
Andrea De Dominiciswill be in charge of the bar and Carmine Ussano will oversee the floor, Del Sole said.
With design, permitting and build out of the shell, Del Sol estimates that the 150-seat restaurant will open in April or May of 2022. He anticipates that the restaurant will be open seven days a week.
“We are thrilled to announce Bella Vita at Waterside as our newest restaurant. Peppe is a chef and co-founder of Napule in Sarasota. His passion and authenticity are contagious, and they are displayed throughout his restaurant. Peppe fits perfectly with our co-tenants and Bella Vita at Waterside will continue the trend that is shaping Waterside into the best-in-class shopping and dining destination for this region,”said Tom Johnson, sales and leasing coordinator for LWR Communities.
Eventually, the 36-acre Waterside Place town center will be at the hub of more than 5,000 homes in 12 neighborhoods, connected by roads, trails, and water taxis.
Set to open this fall, Waterside Place is designed for 115,000 square feet of commercial, retail and office space.
In addition to Bella Vita at Waterside, LWR Communities also announced that Bay Area Aesthetics and the new Lakewood Ranch Medical Group’s 7,000-square-foot primary care facility.
Andy Guz, CEO of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, anticipates the primary care facility will initially staff two physicians who can accommodate up to 60 patients per day. Guz expects to add additional doctors as the new clinic begins to attract more Lakewood Ranch residents with its health and wellness activations and pop-ups.
Bay Area Aesthetics is a locally-owned medical spa led by Amy M. Lauvray Hurlebaus, a nationally board certified advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP).
Among businesses previously announced for Waterside Place:
▪ Good Liquid Brewing Co., specializing in IPAs, lagers, sours and more. The company, whose slogan is “a beer for everyone,” was founded in Bradenton in 2017 by Mike and Sandra Krail. Patrons at Good Liquid Brewing will also be able get something to eat there through a partnership with Libby’s Neighborhood Brasserie.
▪ O&A Coffee Supply, located next door to Good Liquid Brewing Co., with a walk-up bar and outdoor seating near a pedestrian bridge.
▪ The Yoga Shack, a 1,600-square-foot studio that will offer water views from its second-story space. Yoga enthusiasts will be able to participate in outdoor group classes at the village’s eight-acre park. The business was founded in 2013.
▪ Kilwins, offering hand-made ice cream and high-quality chocolates. Its Lakewood Ranch location will feature modern décor designed for the village.
▪ Korê, a new Asian restaurant concept by the owners of JPan Sushi & Grill. The eatery will feature Korean barbecue prepared tableside, a sushi bar and an upscale cocktail lounge with a selection of Japanese whiskey.
▪ Duck Donuts, a family company offering fresh, made-to-order donuts in a variety of flavors. The brand, which originated in Duck, N.C., will be the first location within Lakewood Ranch, as well as the first in the region.
“Our mantra, when it comes to leasing at Waterside Place, is to look for only best-in-class restaurateurs, retailers and shops, which has been a successful focus as shown by the quality of our current tenant list,” said Kirk Boylston, president of Lakewood Ranch Commercial.
Also planned at Waterside Place is Players Centre for Performing Arts, which is relocating from Sarasota to an expanded, 70,000 square foot performing arts center.
