From India to Italy to the Tri-Cities — La Bella Vita restaurant is a ‘blend of cultures’
La Bella Vita Kitchen and Bar in Richland is the culmination of a young immigrant’s trip across the globe in search of a better life.
Forty years ago Pami Thind left his home in India in search of opportunity.
It was the start of a journey that took him halfway around the world and would eventually lead to recently opening a new restaurant in Richland with his family. He takes care of the back of the house and his son Jazz builds an exciting, family-friendly experience for diners.
It’s truly a family affair with Jazz’s stepmom Ayrene also helping out and his little brother Nathan running around.
Pami’s culinary journey started in Cologne, Germany, as a dishwasher at a family-owned pizzeria, where he worked his way up into the kitchen and eventually earned an apprenticeship in Rome, Italy.
After that, he would head to the United States and settle in Bakersfield, Calif.
“He was sent to live in Rome for a year to learn to cook from scratch, and make the mother sauces,” Jazz said. “After that, he thanked his boss for the opportunity, rounded up my uncles and we came out here.”
In 2017, Pami opened Valley Pizza in Yakima, and that helped sustain them through the pandemic and opening of the long-in-the-works Richland restaurant.
They began working toward opening La Bella Vita in 2019, with Jazz moving up to the Tri-Cities two years ago to become part of the family endeavor. Like many business owners, they took a hit on their timeline due to pandemic and supply chain delivery issues.
In an Instagram friendly corner for photos, a sign even reads, “Est. 2021.” The restaurant itself is industrial chic with unique lighting and plenty of seating options from a bar to booths and tables.
Jazz said he originally wanted to be a physical therapist, but after working in the restaurant industry he also fell in love with it and felt a pull toward the family business.
He said the Tri-Cities felt like a natural place to open a new restaurant because it’s a bigger city, with a small-town feel where they can get to know their regulars.
“My dad cooks such great food, and I love making people happy (setting them up with) good food and good drinks,” Jazz said. “I’m already seeing familiar faces from our soft opening last week, and they’re bringing their friends.”
La Bella Vita’s menu isn’t just traditional Italian dishes though, it’s the culmination of Pami’s decades of globe spanning culinary experience.
Jazz said he’s a foodie himself, and loves experiencing new restaurants and flavors, which is something he hopes La Bella Vita can offer the Tri-Cities.
They’ve got the Italian staples, but also new twists and American classics.
The menu will also change as they get their feet under them. Jazz said he expects they will expand to breakfast service in about a month, and teased that his father may have some special recipes up his sleeve.
They’re also looking to round out their staff with a few more servers.
La Bella Vita is at 1515 George Washington Way on the first floor of the future Franklin micro-apartments, which was formerly the Best Western Plus Columbia River Hotel and Conference Center.
While the apartments are still a few months from welcoming their first tenants, the restaurant is up and running.
“This is a family restaurant, we want to be known for our food,” Jazz said. “We’re a blend of cultures. You’re not going to find anything like it.”
