Tommy Valdes of He Brew's Café fame in Margate and partner Gary Sessa have transformed a failed corner in Margate’s CRA district into Trattoria Bella Cibo, a full-liquor, full-service Italian tavern – ala al fresco dining – with live entertainment, fresh gelato, Sunday brunch and more.
Valdes, a CIA-bred Marriot chef, says he’ll be ready to open in February and will unveil a menu emphasizing fresh ingredients and value. His more than 200-seat restaurant features a warm, romantic atmosphere, an open kitchen and a couple of classic, high-back booths from a gone-by era.
Valdes’ Trattoria Bella Cibo was on the drawing board before the abrupt downturn in the economy, causing residents to wonder how Valdes, Sessa and Bella Cibo are going to weather the onslaught of pricing pressures, unstable markets and a clamp on household spending.
“I’m not worried about it,” said Valdes. “People are going to come for the food.”
