ARTICLE SHANNON BARR | PHOTOGRAPHY AARON GOULDING PHOTOGRAPHY
Hot Spot Chef Nico & Amanda Caniglia
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ocated in the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine,
g n i t a r celeb & e r u t cul erie d a r a cam
Bella Vista Social Club & Caffe, also known as Bella V, is at the
center of La Jolla’s science and research community. Because of its proximity to Salk, Scripps, and UC San Diego (UCSD), San Diego’s science, biotech, and research community often frequent the cafe. “If you're checking out the biotech scene and the Mesa, we’re a must,” says Amanda Caniglia, who co-owns the cafe with her husband, Nico. Whether you’re in the science industry or not, the cafe prides itself
as a welcome place for all. “We’re a central gathering place for people here,” says Amanda. “It’s an approachable, relaxed atmosphere — very welcoming and inclusive.” From the start, Nico and Amanda wanted to create a piazza,
similar to a common gathering place you would find in Italy. “There was something missing here,” says Nico. “We wanted to create a little piazza for La Jolla so people can meet up with friends, family, and their kids.” The cafe also caters events in their auditorium, which fits 180 people, hosting nonprofit and social networking events, symposiums, and speakers. Bella V’s eclectic menu is influenced by Nico’s 10 years of travel. “I
collected a lot of recipes so I was able to create an unusual menu,” he
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La Jolla Lifestyle | November 2017
says. Nico attended culinary school in Switzerland, but credits most of his culinary knowledge to what he learned in the kitchen growing up in his Italian family, especially from his mother.