Mi Bella Restaurante

A Love Story Told Through Food

Angela and Fernando Chiliquinga met in a restaurant kitchen in 2005, and nearly two decades later opened Mi Bella in Branford — a place built on family, heritage, and a deeply personal belief in the power of a beautiful meal.

How Angela and Fernando Met

In 2005, Angela and Fernando found each other in the organized chaos of an Italian restaurant kitchen — colleagues first, then partners in every sense. Together they built a blended family of five and held close one shared dream: a place entirely their own.

Two Heritages, One Table

Angela's Italian grandparents and Fernando's Ecuadorian heritage shaped a menu genuinely unlike any other — one that arrives with complimentary garlic knots and chimichurri, a small surprise that says everything about a kitchen unafraid to follow its own instincts.

Opening on Montowese Street

Mi Bella opened at 225 Montowese Street, the storied address long home to Le Petit Café — stepping into a beloved dining tradition and making it something new. Salt air and shoreline are just beyond the door.

Fernando's Kitchen, Angela's Welcome

Fernando crafts dishes like his seafood risotto — shimmering with clams, mussels, and shrimp — with the precision of a true chef. Angela's front-of-house warmth is so genuine that guests return for the servers they now call by name.

Your Table Is Waiting