Bella Monte, Virginia Beach

Much like some of the dishes its chefs create, Bella Monte is a combination of eclectic ingredients. Tables draped in striped cloths gather around artificial Roman ruins, under Asian-style parasols, and around an upside-down Christmas tree—hung from the ceiling, in the European tradition. The 7,000-square-foot indoor market’s varied decor hints at the restaurant, grocery, and delicatessen found within. In the kitchen, Executive Chef Erika Weisflog oversees a seasonally changing menu and designs dishes with ingredients from local producers and Italian importers. Her culinary team draws primarily from Italian and Mediterranean cuisine as they craft classic dishes such as seafood risotto, chicken roulade, veal saltimboca, and bella meatloaf.

Wednesday through Saturday nights, performer Charlie Wiseman plays and cavorts around the 9-foot grand piano during a cabaret-style show that’s filled with music, theater, and comedy. In the marketplace, shelves teem with home decor, international imports from France, Italy, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Japan, as well as goods from small organic producers in the United States. The collection includes rows of international wines, exotic olive oils, international cookware, and gift baskets. At Gourmet to Go, the on-site delicatessen, staff members serve fresh-baked Italian-style bread, artisanal cheeses, imported and housemade meats, and specialty foods such as gourmet butters, marinated artichokes, and dried fruits.