The O-town Scene

LOCAL EATS Local Eats features area restaurants, and food articles and recipes by area residents. To contribute a recipe, e-mail editor@otownscene.com An Eatery Option Away from Downtown Alex Gracias' Bella Michael's on River Street keeps his local restaurateur mentor's name and cooking style alive as well as cre- ates his own fine-dining dishes at neighborhood restaurant prices A neighborhood eatery that has been an option away from downtown Oneonta for several years is Bella Michael's, which is usually packed weekends with area residents as well as visitors. Bella Michael's was not named for a "beautiful" Michael, but for two major influences in owner Alex Gracias' life: his daughter, Isabella, and his mentor, the late Michael Iannelli, who owned restaurants in One- onta and Cobleskill. "He (Michael) was like really family to me," said Gracias, who lived in El Salvador until he moved to Queens when he was 17. It was at restaurants on Long Island where Gracias worked BELLA MICHAEL'S is at 57 River St. in Oneonta. It is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and until 11 p.m. Fri- day and Saturday. For information, call (607) 431-9166. with Iannelli, who convinced Gracias to move to upstate New York. Gracias opened Bella Mi- chael's in 2007 with his wife, Diana. The space was almost move-in ready except for some superficial renovations as it had previously been a bar and restaurant. Gracias decided on a menu based on his training in Italian- American restaurants, and the restaurant opened in June five years ago. Although Gracias was raised in El Salvador, he didn't learn to cook until he moved to New York. Gracias says patrons often ask him to serve Salvadoran dishes or South American dishes, but he doesn't have a background in that type of cuisine. "When I was growing up, men didn't cook," he said, explaining Bella Michael's strongly Italian-influenced menu. But, even though he does not practice cooking traditional South American food, he said he likes to experiment and create his own dishes. "(Italian) is what I learned to Photo by Benjamin Patton cook when I first started, and I like it," he said. "But if I have something and I can cook it, I'll serve it. I throw stuff in a frying pan, and if it tastes good, I put a name on it." The restaurant offers daily specials, and more than 10 seafood items that are on its permanent menu. Some standout dishes are the lobster ravioli in tomato cream sauce, chicken stuffed with spinach and cheese and mahi mahi topped with salsa verde. The restaurant also has a full bar. — Cassandra Miller Alex Gracias, owner of Bella Michael's in Oneonta, stands behind the restau- rant's bar. Photo by Benjamin Patton 6 O-Town Scene Feb. 9, 2012

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