Rick Guerra, the patriarch of the family who owns Bella Mia in Cary, confirmed this afternoon that they are in the process of selling the restaurant.
In 2010, Guerra and his two sons, Anthony and Louis, opened the state's first pizza restaurant with a coal-fired oven to much acclaim. The sons had trained with internationally renowned pizzaiolo Roberto Caporuscio who owns Keste in New York.
N&O restaurant critic Greg Cox gave the restaurant a four-star review and named it the Triangle's best restaurant of the year for 2010.
For fans of the Guerra family, you need to get a last meal by Dec. 22. Otherwise, the restaurant will close for a few weeks and reopened under the new owners who will be trained by the Guerras.
Guerra declined to identify the new owners but will do so when a contract is finalized.
Comments
Really?
Fri, 12/21/2012 - 22:34 — gregghiaThe "State's first pizza restaurant with a coal fired oven", that sounds like total BS. they opened in 2010 not 1962. WTF. The bigger story here is why did it sink that fast in 2 years? We eat there quit a bit. Other than the $20 pizza being skimpy on toppings it is a great place. But maybe you should note that that shopping center does 0 business at night other then the 2 large corporate giants, An and Bonefish that have royally screwed Bella Mia since they are destination spots.
Maybe research where the
Mon, 01/14/2013 - 12:36 — tlh1005Maybe research where the other "coal fired" pizza ovens are or have been in the state and provide that info if you're skeptical. I'm not inclined to believe everything I see from the media, but I wouldn't call "BS" without any information of my own to back it up.
I don't recall every paying more than $14 for my pizza and that included $2 for additional pepperoni (The normal serving was enough but my daughter liked to pick them off).
Last, you're making an assumption that the Guerra family sold because the business was failing. There could be a number of reasons that could happen that are not because of low sales. Maybe they wanted more family time. Maybe they wanted time for anything other than Bella Mia. Maybe someone made them an offer they couldn't refuse... afterall Bella Mia received plenty of accolades since its inception.
Enough of that, either way, the place was great and I hope it continues to be so once reopened. The Guerra's can train the new owner in the art of MOST of the food preparation, lets hope they are able to pass along the warm, welcoming family atmosphere that they provided which was just as important as the cuisine in my opinion.
Good Luck to the Guerra Family and thanks for all of the good food and good times you've provided our family and friends over the last two years!
Very sad
Sat, 12/22/2012 - 12:19 — Id_Create_a_MemberI can't vouch for when the first coal fired pizza started in NC, but I do know that the pizzas there were not $20 apiece. Their toppings were consistent with what you get an any true Napoli style pizza place - they were the right amount. If you need more, you can gorge yourself at any of the numerous cheap, cardboard crust joints in the area. But, guess what? Quality ingredients cost more than what you get at Dominos.
I wish the owners well and I'm really saddened that they are selling it. This was the areas best pizza and the best crusts hands down. I hope the new owners don't tinker with the pizzas.