STATEN ISLAND, NY — Since Bella Mama Rose reopened under new management in late May, the Elm Park kitchen has been all about pizza, pasta and schnitzel. And that’s why owners Ashley and Justin Rose decided their mantra should be just that: Pizza. Pasta. Schnitzel.

Justin had those words emblazoned on his baseball cap. While it was a coincidence that the Roses and their partner Joe Casaletto took over the restaurant, which already bore the name Rose, Justin felt it was “meant to be.” And Ashley decorates the dining rooms with flowers – roses included.

Traditional dishes

This version of Bella Mama Rose comes to the district with traditional dishes, including juicy pork chops with spicy cherry peppers, crispy chicken schnitzel and two types of pizza.

As for pies, a paper-thin, grilled version comes from the hands of chef Tommy Ferretti and the eatery’s longtime sous chef, Augie. Separately, a fluffy, pleasantly charred pie is pulled from the hearth of a brick oven near the main dining area. This heartier dough can be fried with traditional toppings or specialty combinations like clams, guanciale and roasted garlic.

But if there was ever a memorable restaurant specialty, it was these flavorful pork chops – center-cut, French-cut on the bone, and fried until crispy.

Bella Mama is believed to be the first place on Staten Island to serve this combination, and in the ’80s it became a “thing” and is now a staple on the menus of most Italian-American restaurants. Ashley said it’s still a crowd favorite that even she remembers from her years as a regular at the place.

A History of Yum

The building itself, located at 266 Morningstar Road, was constructed in 1931. According to oral tradition, it housed a grocery store and bakery until around the 1960s.

Justin said longtime customers of the eatery recently stopped by to reminisce about Bella Mama’s history — especially the Parise family. They reminisced with the owner about their own business, a former milk and bread store that eventually spawned several consecutive Italian restaurants, all revered in the neighborhood and beyond.

In 1983, the original Bella Mama Rose opened. As Staten Island’s six degrees of separation would have it, the owners at the time were connected to families of other famous foodies – Casanova of Port Richmond and Gene’s Restaurant under Gene and Josephine Bottligieri. The lineage was also intertwined with the history of Piazza’s Bakery, a Staten Island mainstay for about a century.

Also according to Advance/SILive.com records, the name “Bella Mama” comes from the Savastano brothers’ affectionate nickname for their mother, “Bella Mama.”

Bella Mama Rose now

Bella Mama Rose currently offers dinner Wednesday through Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. On Sundays, the restaurant opens at 2:00 p.m. and closes at 9:00 p.m. Extended hours will be introduced in the fall.

Bella Mama Rose consists of five spaces – a lounge, three private dining rooms including one with a tavern atmosphere, and the main area with an open kitchen and pizza station. The restaurant has a brisk off-premises catering business and hopes to maintain that business.

There are two parking lots – one at Hooker Place and the other across Morningstar Road at the entrance to 440.

Justin said, “Staten Island is the biggest melting pot. Our restaurant is influenced by many different Italian recipes. At the end of the day, it’s all good ingredients. We don’t skimp on portion sizes. Our meals are very affordable. People really get value for their money.”

He added: “I want people to come in for two hours and have a nice break from their lives outside the restaurant.”

Justin also expressed his sincere thanks for the enthusiasm and support of Port Richmond High School.

Bella Mama Rose is located at 266 Morningstar Road, Elm Park, 718-981-0545, BMRose.com

This column is part of Pamela’s Food Service Diary, a series that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Author Pamela Silvestri is food editor at Advance/SILive.com. She can be reached at [email protected].