Knowing Your Neighbor: Bellisio’s Italian Restaurant

DULUTH, Minn. — A quarter-century staple of Canal Park Bellisio’s Italian Restaurant is known for its fine dining atmosphere and superb wine. Since its opening in 1998, the restaurant has separated itself as a more higher-class dining experience. The restaurant brings in a welcoming northern Italian feel, that’s reminiscent of Duluth’s very own hillside.

“Our owner at the time, 25 years ago, his family was from the Billisio, Italy area,” said Angela Dormanen, the general manager. “So we are apart of the grandmas restaurant company and the owners wanted to have a place that was kind of upscale, fine dining in Italian.” 0:45

Bellisio’s specializes in its Italian cuisine. Offering a variety of pasta, risotto, and fettuccine entrées.

“All of our cuisine is Italian. It’s cooked fresh,” said Dormanen. “Our chefs are trained to make the dishes with fresh ingredients to make a wonderful cuisine for our guests.”

But arguably more popular than their food, has to be their massive wine selection. Bellisio’s houses over 500 different types of wine that originate from Italy and other places across the world.

“With the wine list that was put together 25 years ago, kind of the roots of the wine list came from Italy, you know, we wanted to have our Italian roots on our list, obviously, California, New Zealand, Australia, they all have great wines as well,” said Dormanen.

And also, for the last 25 years, Bellisio’s has also been selections every year for “Best of Award for Excellence” by Wine Spectator. This year, 25 restaurants in Minnesota were up for the prestigious title and ten were gifted an “Award of Excellence.” Bellisio has been the honor recipient of this award since their opening.

“So, we’re very honored to be winning it again this year,” said Dormanen. “It shows to I think our customers that we really do take care of a unique experience for them. So not only in the fine dining, they also have a fine wine selection to choose from as well.”

Bellisio’s is open Wednesday through Monday from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Every Monday, they offer 50% off of all their wine selection.