Members of the Berlusconi family only argue at reunions over who gets to cook.
That's according to restaurateur Antonio Berlusconi, whose new restaurant, Bella Vita, opened Sunday at 208 St. Louis Ave., in Fulton. Bella Vita is open 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. seven days a week and offers lunch specials and a children's menu.
Berlusconi's family hails from Venice and has been in the restaurant business for decades.
"The restaurant is our life," he said. "We work together as a family group, because running a restaurant is the toughest business on Earth."
The Berlusconis also operate Viva Italia in Hannibal, along with locations in Chicago and also Venice. Berlusconi said his uncle was the first in the family to immigrate, and other members soon followed.
"People ask me, 'Why would you leave Italy?'" Berlusconi said. "When you're grown and raised there, you want to go somewhere else."
While working at Viva Italia, Berlusconi learned about the space available in Fulton - three times larger, with a full bar. He plans on serving beer and wine, but is still working on getting the state license.
Inside, the walls are now painted a rich wine tone, with lime accents. The air smells like fresh bread and garlic. Berlusconi often greets customers or stops by their tables while they eat, always with a smile.
He's looking forward to introducing Callaway County to genuine Italian flavors.
"American-Italian food is a lot of grilled and fried (dishes)," he said. "It's 90 percent American and maybe 15 percent Italian. We cook with sauces, fresh ingredients."
Callaway County, so far, seems receptive. Fulton resident James Belcher gave Bella Vita a rave review.
"I'm originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, and have dined at many Italian restaurants there and across the country," he said. "I would definitely rate the food at Bella Vita a five out of five."
He described his chicken parmesan as juicy in the center, with crisp breading and perfectly balanced sauce. The service was also good, Belcher added.
Berlusconi said he's glad to make recommendations or modify recipes based on customers' taste. Everything is made from scratch. Berlusconi said his cooking is influenced by many Italian regions, and also by recipes passed down by his grandfathers Luigi and Antonio.
"They loved to cook," he said. "We had homegrown tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers. We compete in the family about cooking."
Roberto Berlusconi, Antonio's brother, also works at Bella Vita, along with cousins Alexandro and Michangelo Berlusconi.
"We help each other," Roberto said. "We know exactly what needs to be done."
His favorite dish, he added, is the shrimp alfredo.
Tamara Fitzpatrick, executive director of the Callaway Chamber of Commerce, said she's excited to see the restaurant open and hopes to welcome its owners as Chamber members soon.
"I look forward to going there and eating," she said. "Having additional variety in our community is great, and having a new restaurant is good for economic development."