Cedar Park eatery owners hope to expand patio
For two years, guests of Bellini's Texas Grill have gotten to know the restaurant's namesake and logo mascot, Bellini, a terrier/mutt mix belonging to owners Gerald and Suzy Freeny.
The restaurant opened in November 2011 and has been fetching loyal customers through its expanded catering services, online ordering and more recently a smartphone ordering application.
Orders go directly into the restaurant's sale system, Gerald said.
"Business is growing, and we just keep working hard at it," he said.
The Bellini's name is a familiar sight at local events involving schools, booster clubs, nonprofit groups and especially animal-related organizations, Gerald said. Bellini's has supported local groups such as Texas Humane Heroes and the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter.
The restaurant's dining area suggests an old-world Italian while the menu blends Italian style and Southern-fried selections. Specialty salads and pizza roasted over a wood fire are especially popular, Freeny said.
"We specialize being the neighborhood place, neighborhood food, neighborhood atmosphere," he said. "Probably our berry and nut salad and our chopped salad are our top salads."
Monday–Thursday after 5 p.m. and all day Friday–Sunday, Bellini's cooks different pizza varieties in its stone oven, visible from the dining area. In addition to pizza, diners favor Bellini's cheesesteaks, chicken tortilla soup, country club sandwiches, paninis, catfish, shrimp and several chicken-fried items.
Photo by Stephen Burnett
