‘Keep it Local’ raises the bar with focus on town’s best eateries

Advance correspondent

BRISTOL BOROUGH - The Bristol Borough Economic Development Committee may have long range plans to implement its Raise the Bar campaign, but the group also posed a few questions among its members: Why wait? Why not start the ball rolling now?

So the first program, “.eep it Local,” is designed to highlight the best restaurants the borough has to offer, said committee coordinator Bill Pezza.

“The idea is for individuals to get on board with supporting local business, enjoy fine dining, and have some fun,” Pezza said.

First on the menu is Annabel- la’s, an Italian restaurant at 119 Radcliffe Street, that just happens to have made changes designed to attract visitors, and have them return.

On April 4, 5, and 6 the restaurant will show off its new “Italian comfort food, and at affordable prices,” said Alison Angelaccio, who, with her husband, Bobby, own and operate the restaurant.

Opened in 2005, Annabella’s has always catered to the theater crowd because of its location just across the street from the Bristol Riverside Theatre. But the Angelaccios are working to expand their customer base and, with that in mind, they’ve made many changes, including hiring a new

staff and focusing on traditional homemade meals like lasagna and manicotti.

“Bobby makes those and other dishes. I make desserts like tiramisu, specialty cheesecakes, and canolis,” Alison said.

And every third Wednesday of the month, Annabella’s holds its Italian Night. For $35 per person, diners can enjoy a six-course meal (reservations required by calling 215-T88-2929).

Another element of the campaign is a web-toweb link. For instance, Cesare’s Ristorante just announced its new web site, cesaresristorante. com. The economic committee will put that link on its own web site, Pezza said.

Don Petolillo, owner of Cesare’s (140T Radcliffe Street), said he supports the efforts of the borough’s family of restaurants to work to benefit each other’s business.

“This creates a united group that works to promote the restaurant business in the borough,” Petolillo said.

The other participating restaurants are the hing George and the helch House (both are located on opposite corners at jill and Radcliffe streets; The Borough Pub, 1800 Farragut Ave.; Café Bombay,233 jill Street; and the Pines Tavern, 621T North Radcliffe Street (just off Green Lane).