Photo by Stephen BurnettCedar 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.
The restaurant hopes to add breakfast offerings in the future. Brunch served on weekends from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. may help accustom guests to Bellini's earlier menu, he said.
The bar area with 25 beers on tap and six large-screen televisions seats about 40 people. Up to 60 guests can be seated in the dining area, but Gerald said he hopes to add about 30 seats with a new fenced front patio, which would replace the few tables and chairs on the sidewalk.
Pet owners could also enjoy the outdoor seating, he said.
"Sales-wise, we're ahead of where we thought that we would be at this point," Gerald said. "Of course there's the opposite side—the cost of operating is much higher than what we anticipated. But you know, we see it [as] well-balanced. And with the neighborhood area growing out here, we see a lot of potential for the future."
Bellini's Texas Grill, 12800 Parmer Lane, Ste. 202, Cedar Park, 512-528-8558, www.bellinistexasgrill.com, Hours: Sun.–Thu. 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
