Photograph by Dai Sugano
Bill and Ellen Cooper are owners of Bella Saratoga on Big Basin Way in Saratoga.
Bella Saratoga is popular with all, including a ghost
By Suzanne Cristallo
The porch tips a little, the walls are not quite square and the floors creak with the occasional visit of a child ghost, but Bella Saratoga continues to be a popular front porch hangout for regulars seeking pastas, seafood and salads.
The old house attracted Saratogans to its front porch in the 1890s when it was the home of Samuel Cloud, who ran the general store next door. The Clouds and their friends used to gather there to watch the passing Sunday throngs along what is now Big Basin Way--from liveried coachmen to simple carts. Today, a brunch crowd or diners enjoying dinner by candlelight use the same porch for nearly the same reason.
Native Oregonians Ellen and Bill Cooper have owned Bella Saratoga for more than five years. It was a purchase made at a time when Bill, now 55, wanted to make major changes in his career. "Bill always said that one thing he wanted to do in his 50s was change his direction in life," relates Ellen.
A chance evening out in what had been a Bella Mia restaurant put them in contact with owners Bill and Julie Carlson, who were selling the place. The Coopers decided to buy, plunging into a whole new lifestyle from Bill's former position with Marriott contract food service.
"He's the social director," quips Ellen, who keeps the books and greets guests. "He likes to walk around and check in on our guests. He wants them to know the owners are there."
Guests may choose to eat indoors or out, having the choice even during most days of the winter months, as large heaters warm the covered patio and canvas cuts the wind. A Mexican chimenia outfitted with gas heat cozies up a corner. Upstairs in the old house, two banquet rooms may be used for special celebrations, while the main floor decorated in the Victorian style lends itself to more intimate dining.
In the kitchen, chef Roger Sanchez has been serving up his signature dishes for more than 10 years. Among them is linguine di capra with eggplant, sun-dried tomatoes and green, red and yellow peppers for $13.50, and raviolis stuffed with salmon blended with ricotta cheese and herbs in a creamy tomato dill sauce for $13.50.
The shellfish salad is the biggest seller at $14.75 with shrimp, scallops, prawns and crab provided fresh each day by Race Street fish market. A vegetarian dish of eggplant parmesan with mozzarella cheese is $12.15. For lunch, combo plates of a small entree with salad run $7.95-$10.95. Also, Sunday brunch includes live music by vocalists, Caribbean musicians or in the easy listening style on the porch.
Oh, and about the ghost. "There are reports of a little girl who wanders upstairs. They say she died while her mother was away, so she reappears searching the rooms for her mom," Ellen says. "Of course, I don't believe any of that."
Bella Saratoga, 14503 Big Basin Way, Saratoga. Open Sun.-Thurs. 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Fri. and Sat. until 10 p.m. Brunch Sun. 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 408.741.5115.
Saratoga, California Since 1955
