Italian Best Buy

La Cena Ristorante is a taste of Center City in Bucks County.
By Brenda Lange

For those in the know, La Cena Ristorante is the “in” place for excellent Italian food, great entertainment and an overall experience that rivals the best in Center City Philadelphia.

Upscale, contemporary, warm and welcoming, La Cena has its regulars who come in because they love the happy hour with its complementary buffet and those who know they can bring the whole family or have an intimate dinner for two without busting their budget.

“But the food!” exclaims general manager, Massimo Fazzina. “It is our wonderful food, a combination of northern and southern Italian cuisine that has customers coming back for 16 years.”

Chefs Mauricio Lopez, Roberto Santos and Lallo Villano create culinary taste treats including La Cena’s specialties, Bronzino, a Mediterranean white fish, delivered fresh daily, which is mild and firm. The fish is pan broiled in water, lemon and wine, seasoned and baked, then filleted tableside, with various chef’s choice side dishes.

A special menu is served Monday through Thursday for $19.99 for a three-course meal. “Those who are stretching their dollar can still come in and get a fabulous meal for less money than elsewhere,” says Fazzina.

The restaurant is open Monday through Friday beginning at 11:30 a.m. for lunches that can include tempting meals such as Bresola Condita, a dry cured beef served with lemon and olive oil dressed arugula and shaved parmigiana, or Melanzane alla Parmigiana, oven-baked layers of eggplant, tomato sauce, mozzarella and parmigiana cheeses.

Another excellent lunch choice is the Insalata Sfiziosa Salad, with arugula, lemon and olive oil dressing, topped with roasted peppers, artichokes, shaved parmigiana, mozzarella cheeses and sundried tomatoes or homemade minestrone soup.

Other special entrées are a veal chop stuffed with smoked mozzarella, prosciutto and artichokes or traditional potato gnocchi with roasted peppers or spinach served with a bolognese meat sauce. Homemade pastas on the menu include fettuccini and ravioli. Homemade tiramisu, crème brulee and gelatos offer the piece de resistance to any meal.

For the whole family
Fazinna makes it a point to greet customers at the door, and offers his help in selecting just the right wine to complement the perfect meal. The extensive wine list offers some of the finest vintages served by the bottle or the glass.

The bar/lounge is a popular spot each night between 4:30 and 7 p.m. for happy hour featuring an inviting buffet. And the live entertainment Wednesdays through Saturdays is also a popular draw. Every Wednesday night for about six years, Fulvio Ranni, has returned to entertain the restaurant’s guests on piano, guitar and accordion with Spanish, Italian and pop music. On Thursday, Nevis Truitt, a gifted pop singer, and her guitarist, keep the happy hour crowd happy. If it’s Friday, it’s time for Herb Smith, who sings pop and jazz and accompanies himself on guitar and piano. Vince Calvanese, Saturday night’s Sinatra tribute singer, has a loyal crowd of faithful followers.

A private room can accommodate up to 100 guests and has been popular for rehearsal dinners, luncheons and other parties. An added bonus at La Cena is a pizzeria open Mondays through Thursdays that has a full menu for take-out or delivery and outdoor seating. It also has catering services. Diners can get sandwiches, wraps, burgers and full dinners or a classic family sized pizza with 18 slices, enough for everyone. “So if people want the same good food, but don’t want to linger over dinner or drinks, this is perfect for them,” explains Fazzina.

“Before La Cena was opened, it was intended to fill a gap in the area in restaurants,” he adds. “And it’s done just that. It’s a place where people can come to dine and have a whole evening out. They can enjoy the entertainment and dance and they can take their time, luxuriating in the food.”

La Cena Ristorante is located at 2233 Galloway Road in Bensalem. For more information, call (215) 639-9969 or visit www.lacenarestaurant.com. La Cena is open Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to closing; Saturday, for dinner only, at 5:30; and is open on Sundays for private parties only.

Brenda Lange is a professional writer and editor based in Bucks County. She is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors and her portfolio can be seen at www.brendalange.com.