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Born in Southern
Italy, Owner and Chef Raffaele Virgillo is the youngest of 9 kids.
He was the baby, which meant he was the lucky one who got to spend
the most time with his Mama in the kitchen. It was there, in a tiny
cottage in a mountain village, that he learned that the only thing
that makes food so special is the amount of affection you cook into
it. You see, in Italy, they use only the freshest ingredients to
prepare food for the people they love.
Then, he came to the United States in the early 1970's to live the
"American Dream", that in a land of opportunity, anything is
possible with hard work. He first established himself in the Twin
Cities restaurant scene in 1980, with "Raffaele's Supper Club" in
Fridley. He earned a
great reputation for wonderful food with a pleasant dining
experience. Then, a few years later, he opened up a breakfast and
luncheon eatery in the Minneapolis Skyway called "Sarducci's". After
that, he spent time up in Duluth, Minnesota, inspired by the Palucci
family and with mentor Andy Borg in the Grandma's Corporation. On
the North Shore, he was involved in the development and opening of "Bellisio's
Wine Bar" in Canal Park. He wanted to return to the Twin Cities
because that is where he made his home with his 2 daughters and
small hobby farm. That's when the original "Buona Sera Ristorante &
Wine Bar" was born. It was Raffaele's thought that a warm, cozy
atmosphere in his home neighborhood would be the perfect venue to
share his passion of good Italian cuisine with his love of people.
Luna Rossa Ristorante & Wine Bar is his second concept, launched in
the historic Stillwater caves, now even featuring homemade Italian
Gelato and an Espresso bar. His friendships have grown with many
over the years, and through his passion in hospitality, he became
aquainted with Bob and Pat Fields and Jim and Kris Reynolds, both
local families very active in the community of Maple Grove. They
desired to bring the fine cuisine and warmth of Raffaele’s other
restaurants to the heart of Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove. A
partnership was formed and we are now proud to offer his third
concept, Bella Sera Ristorante & Wine Bar, a locally family owned
and operated chef driven restaurant on Main Street.
Chef Raffaele is also famous for chatting with his customers, and
making sure that his mama would be proud of his food. He looks
forward to meeting and serving you, along with his children and his
friendly staff. |
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