Bella Campania, the Italian restaurant owned by Chris Tarta for the last 14 years, has closed this past Thursday. Tarta will continue to focus on his other restaurant Due (Ridgewood), heading back as Executive Chef — he and former chef Adam Weiss parted ways earlier this year. The announcement came via e-mail from Tarta himself, shared below:

Dear Friends, I am reaching out to announce that I have closed Bella Campania. On Thursday June 31 we unknowingly served our last meal. Despite much effort, I was unable to come to acceptable lease terms with my landlord at the current location. Given the short timeline, and with no reasonable path forward, I had to make the quick decision to close the doors, for good, on Friday, July 1. It was a very fast and difficult decision to make, but I believe it was the right one. After 14 years, it was time to move on to the next chapter. I will now focus solely on the success and future of due in Ridgewood. I am headed back to the kitchen as the executive chef. After personnel changes, moving to a larger location, and hiring new management, working at due full-time is the next step toward making a mark on the Ridgewood restaurant scene.

I want to thank my staff, customers, friends and family for their support over the past 14 years at Bella Campania- it was a great run. I am forever grateful. Please visit me for a meal at Due in Ridgewood and let your server know you are a “Bella customer.”

I will continue catering out of Ridgewood and would be very happy if you would keep me in mind for your business, family and charity events.

If you have any questions or comments please contact Chris Tarta directly.
Thank you

Bella Campania 456 Broadway, Hillsdale, NJ Website

[photo source: Bella Campania]