La Cena Italian Ristorante

Head to La Cena Italian Ristorante for a classy dinner, dancing and live entertainment in the suburbs.
By Karen Appold

If you desire a delicious dinner in an elegant restaurant but don’t want to travel into Center City, go no further than La Cena Italian Ristorante in Bensalem.

Established 16 years ago, La Cena is a rare find in the suburbs. In addition to its tantalizing menu, it offers an extensive wine list, live entertainment four nights a week and a dance floor in a classy, sophisticated and friendly atmosphere.

Its new fall menu is now being served. On Monday through Thursday evenings, enjoy an appetizer, salad or soup in addition to an entrée and dessert for just $19.99 plus tax and gratuity. Favorite dishes include Gnocchi Bolognese (traditional potato gnocchi homemade by the chef served with a meat sauce) and Veal Maurizio (veal sandwiched between two pieces of grilled eggplant, covered in a rosé sauce).

Chefs Mauricio Lopez and Roberto Santos create a variety of seafood entrees plus a selection of meats, including rack of lamb, filet mignon, veal chop and osso buco served with risotto. Of course, there are a lot of tasty pastas to choose from also. Manager Massimo Fazzina will debone your Mediterranean Branzino fish table side.

You’ll also want to stop in for lunch to sample selections from the recently updated menu. Choices include pasta, paninis, meat and seafood dishes such as Tilapia Paradiso (fresh tilapia filet stuffed with lump crabmeat, saffron and pine nuts) and Vitello al Funghetto (tender sliced veal with mushrooms, garlic, parsley and wine).

Happy hour, held from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, includes discounted drinks from the top-shelf bar and a complimentary buffet with pastas, a variety of finger food, wings and antipasti.

On every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, top off your evening with live entertainment beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the lounge while enjoying your dinner or having a drink at the bar. There’s dancing all night long, too!

Every Wednesday, Fulvio plays Italian, Spanish and popular music on the grand piano, guitar and accordion.

On alternating Friday and Saturday evenings, Herb Smith will entertain you with popular songs on the piano and guitar while Vince Calvanese, who sounds just like Ol’ Blue Eyes, will sing Frank Sinatra favorites.

A private room can accommodate up to 100 people and is popular for funeral luncheons, showers, rehearsal dinners and corporate meetings. The entire restaurant is available for private parties on Sundays.

La Cena also caters many rehearsal dinners for its sister company Celebrations, a banquet facility, located in the same complex, Celebrations Plaza.

Plan now to spend New Year’s Eve at La Cena. There will be a special menu, live entertainment and a champagne toast. Two seating times will be available.

In the rear of La Cena is a pizzeria that offers take-out and outside dining. The pizzeria is well known for its very unique extra large family size pizza that has 18 slices for $21.99. Of course, there are many specialty pizzas to choose from too. Homemade steaks, hoagies and take-out platters are offered as well. Catering is available.

So if you’re looking to spend an evening out, drive no further than La Cena. Come for happy hour with its extensive beverage offerings and then stay for a fabulous dinner, live entertainment and dancing!

The ownership and management of La Cena would like to thank the residents of Bensalem and surrounding areas for their patronage. Rob, manager of the pizzeria, extends his thanks to the Bensalem Township School District for all of its business.

La Cena Italian Ristorante is open from Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Saturday from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday is only open for private parties. Take out beer and party trays are available for take out or all day delivery. La Cena is located at 2233 Galloway Road in Bensalem. For more information, call (215) 639-9969 or visit www.lacenarestaurant.com.

The pizzeria is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. through 9:30 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and closed on Sunday. Call Rob at (215) 639-2259 for the best pizza in Bucks County!

Karen Appold is a freelance writer in Royersford (www.WriteNowServices.com).