BELLA FRESCA BISTRO 608 Absinthe Court at Twelve Oaks (off Flournoy Lucas Road)

Phone: 212-1133

Hours: 11 a.m to 9 p.m. Seven days a Week

Service: Exceptional

Zoran Tomic and Weston McElwee are already recognized as owners of the popular Line Avenue landmark eatery Bella

Fresca, and now they have opened an equally appealing outpost down Flournoy Lucas Road at 608 Absinthe Court at Twelve Oaks.

Like its namesake, the Bella Fresca Bistro space is intimate and welcoming. And, though the dedication to freshness, quality and buying local is the same, the bistro is more casual with a menu that offers cost-conscious selections. With the standards of quality ingredients, innovative recipes and attention to presentation, diners at Bella Fresca Bistro certainly get a lot for their money. The eatery is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner with a brunch on Sundays. Check the menu for the daily specials offered on all seven days.

Though all the selections are exceptional, a real standout is the barbecue chicken sandwich on a Kaiser bun with Napa cabbage slaw, tomato and onion with either fries or side salad. The chicken is perfectly avored and tender with a sauce that is tasty but subtle. The slaw is unbeatable – crisp and crunchy and not drowning in mayo. And fried green tomato and shrimp remoulade salad is not to be missed.

Shrimp and grits greet the palate with a creaminess in the grits that makes them the crème de la crème of area offerings.

The grilled shrimp are perfectly done and tender, adding an extra Cajun element to a super savory dish.

Though open only for ve months, the bistro has already become known for some of the top burgers in Shreveport.

All the burgers are handpattied from fresh ground Black Angus beef seasoned and cooked to order. They are served on a toasted Kaiser bun and dressed with mustard, mayo, mixed greens, pickle, tomato and onion. They come with a generous order of house cut fries, cut and cooked fresh.

With a nod to healthy choices, the menu includes some very tasty options for wraps. Particularly appealing is the smoked salmon wrap served in fresh whole wheat wrap with cream cheese, dill cream, capers, red onion, tomato and mixed greens. This dish is innovative and inviting. Other wraps include the chicken Caesar wrap, veggie wrap and the fried green tomato BLT wrap – you can never have too many fried green tomatoes. The creamy butter nut squash soup that accompanied one of our wraps was a masterful culinary creation – a real work of art.

The 7-ounce house cut let will please any carnivore with a re ned palate. The incredible Angus let is perfectly cooked to order and served with a topping of housemade garlic butter. The beef and butter will both melt in your mouth – a great choice.

The last night we dined in, the chef had prepared a awless lemon zest crème brulee. The lemon zest gave it just the right zing without overpowering the perfect texture and avor of the creme brulee – I could have this every night.

In its short time, Bella Fresca Bistro has become a favorite Happy Hour haunt for regulars who love their menu of creative cocktails. The Limoncello martini is, of course, made with Limoncello, citrus vodka, basil leaves, freshly squeezed lemon and a splash of simple syrup. The grapefruit margarita came highly recommended and did not disappoint with tequila, Triple Sec, grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed lime with a splash of sweet and sour and rimmed with salt and sugar. Another winner is the aptly named “Rasmopolitan,” vodka, raspberry liquor, muddled raspberries, cranberry juice and splash of sweet and sour. These creative drinks, an impressive selection of wines and beers will make all your hours happy ones. Happy hour is 4 to 6:30 p.m. seven days a week.

Sunday brunches is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays.

Whether you are a fan of the original Bella Fresca or a new convert, Bella Fresca Bistro will make you a regular very quickly with its outstanding cuisine, warm décor and exemplary service. Catering is also available.