It is no surprise that an historic area like the Strip District is full of staple businesses such as ethnic restaurants, popular bars and pubs, favorite shops for food, and stores for clothing and unique sundries. What may be surprising is that a person can also be just as significantly recognized as a pillar of tradition. Richard (Rick) Carrozzi Jr., general manager of Bella Notte Pizza, Pasta, and Beer, is one such personified staple whose history and connection to the Strip go back as far as any building or business.
Bella Notte’s story began in a classically authentic Pittsburgh way. The restaurant’s location was previously home to a Fox’s Pizza Den, but before that, it was the original site for Jimmy & Nino Sunseri’s famous Italian store. When Fox’s vacated, Nino decided to transform the space into an Italian restaurant, naming it Bella Notte, or “Beautiful Night,” inspired by a conversation outside on a warm evening.
Opening only days after the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Bella Notte immediately became a space for friends, family, and locals to gather and enjoy comforting Italian dishes in the heart of the Strip. From its inception, the restaurant was built on the foundation of community and a commitment to quality—drawing people in not just for the food but for the inviting atmosphere as well. Since then, it has evolved into a beloved spot, capturing the essence of the Strip District’s eclectic and energetic spirit.
This concept of a welcoming place for patrons was a perfect fit for Rick Carrozzi, who took over as Bella Notte’s general manager on August 17, 2011. As a seasoned professional in Pittsburgh’s restaurant scene and with nearly 30 years of experience in the industry, Carrozzi’s approach to hospitality is simple, yet effective—he treats everyone who steps inside with warmth and respect. He explains, “We don’t call them customers here; I call people guests—as if they were walking into our own house.” This philosophy is something that Carrozzi embraced early on in his career, first at his family’s own celebrated restaurant, Roland’s (also in the Strip), and then at his prior managerial engagement with the now-closed Jerome Bettis’ Grille 36 on the North Shore.
For Carrozzi, Bella Notte offers an opportunity to combine his extensive professional background with his personal mission of creating memorable dining experiences. He explains, “The guest comes first—good food and a nice drink are part of the package, but we want people to feel like they’re part of our family.”
During his tenure, Carrozzi has been instrumental in driving the restaurant’s growing popularity. He recounts, “Over the years, we’ve managed to triple our numbers.” Another important factor to this success was his initiative to install a tap system with 44 beers on draft—which has grown to be a huge draw for the restaurant. Uniquely, the taps only feature American microbrews, showcasing Carrozzi’s commitment to supporting the local and national craft breweries within our country.
Although Bella Notte has enjoyed continued, significant growth, Carrozzi still remains focused on the day-to-day experience of his guests.
He readily shares his achievements with his right-hand man, Danny Hahn. Starting as a cook shortly after his arrival, Hahn quickly rose to become assistant general manager. Carrozzi co-credits Bella Notte’s success to Hahn’s help, hard work. and dedication, and notes, “I couldn’t run the business without him!”
In the realm of menu additions, the restaurant has introduced some new items featuring fresh and seasonal selections. Among the highlights is an arugula pizza—a white-garlic-sauce pizza topped with mozzarella, provolone, fresh arugula, and a fig glaze, and garnished with lemon juice. This combination is both refreshing and robust, capturing the essence of Italian cuisine. “We have also expanded into cauliflower and gluten-free pizza options because of higher demand for them with people’s changing dietary needs,” adds Carrozzi.
Another addition to the menu is a prosciutto sandwich served on a tomato focaccia roll. This dish features thinly sliced margherita prosciutto wrapped around fresh mozzarella, then oven-baked and complemented by lettuce, tomato, arugula, fig glaze, and a touch of lemon juice. This sandwich has quickly become a favorite for many (including Nino!), offering guests a perfect balance of various savory sensations.
Innovative new cocktails that are now available include pickle-and-jalapeno-flavored Bloody Marys. But Bella Notte’s signature Bloody Mary still remains one of its most popular potables. Created by Carrozzi himself over a decade ago, the drink truly has a loyal following—with the restaurant selling an impressive 10,000 of his Bloody Marys each year! Carrozzi takes pride in the consistency of this fan-favorite drink—so much so that he believes in personally maintaining control over the recipe to keep each Bloody Mary perfect for every guest.
Bella Notte enjoys an ideal location that brings in both locals and tourists eager to experience the neighborhood’s distinctive character. For Carrozzi, being part of the Strip District is more than just a place to work—it’s home. “The Strip is special because of its diversity—we have so many ethnic groups, all coexisting and adding their own flavors,” he states, believing that this is exactly how the Strip District retains its authentic atmosphere. And he perfectly and succinctly sums up his personal history here with “I know where all the cracks are on the sidewalk.”
From its carefully crafted menu and expansive drink offerings to its welcoming atmosphere, Bella Notte is more than just a place to eat—it is a community hub where guests are treated like family. Bella Notte continues to remain a cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s beloved Strip District—embodying all of the warmth, tradition, and diversity that make this neighborhood so special.
Bella Notte Pizza, Pasta, and Beer is located in the Strip at 1914 Penn Avenue. For more information call 412-407-8478 or visit orderbellanotte.com.
Christopher Cussat is a Pittsburgh-based freelance writer who plans to go to Bella Notte very soon for one of Rick’s famous Bloody Marys! Read more of Chris’s work at cussat.com.