NORTON SHORES, MI – Ted Cerniglia expects a busy final Teddy’s Night at Bella Maria’s Event Center before his popular Italian restaurant reopens in February.
The evening of Thursday, Oct. 24 will be the last chance to enjoy some authentic Italian cuisine before the four-month hiatus.
The buffet opens at 5 p.m. at Bella Maria’s, 513 W. Pontaluna Road in Norton Shores, with live music beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Owner Ted Cerniglia told MLive the event center had received some 250 reservations as of noon Wednesday, and he expects the number to climb to 300 by the end of the day.
“I’m just so grateful for the community’s response to Teddy’s Night in the last year. It’s just been awesome,” he said. “And that’s helped us to make the decision of coming back, that so many people responded and came on Thursday nights.”
Teddy’s Night has been a weekly ritual at Bella Maria’s ever since Teddy Spaghettis closed its doors last year at 3032 Heights Ravenna Rd.
Cerniglia’s daughter, Francesca Cerniglia-Giddings, had been in charge of both Teddy Spaghettis and Bella Maria’s, but she chose to sell the restaurant so she could have more children.
She meanwhile has kept the spirit of her dad’s beloved restaurant alive by hosting the weekly buffet at Bella Maria’s, featuring signature items such as spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna and Italian-style macaroni and cheese.
Teddy’s Night guests also have enjoyed live jazz and R&B performances from Rick Hicks and Band.
Teddy Spaghettis is slated to come back in full force in February inside Bella Maria’s.
The current plan is to have Teddy Spaghettis open in the evenings from Tuesday through Saturday. Bella Maria’s, a full-service event center for public and private gatherings, will continue to offer catering and on-site banquets during the day.
People can still book a reservation for the last Teddy’s Night by calling 231-777-8337.
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