Bottega Italian Kitchen + Bar

Bottega is a lively Italian spot in Bethel that takes pizza and wings seriously, and mostly lands both. The room fills with locals and travelers who come for wood-fired confidence and a menu that swings between solid classics and occasional misfires. Staff tend to be attentive when they're on, and the place has the feel of somewhere that wants you to come back.

• Pizza with crisp, charred crust and chewy center.
• Wings that are crispy outside, juicy inside, properly sauced.
• Staff goes above and beyond for groups and special diets.
• Calamari is well seasoned, properly cooked, generously cut.

Order the pizza, the Tartufo with shrimp added comes recommended, though any pie here seems to deliver. Wings are worth the trip, especially if you've had soggy ones elsewhere. Calamari is a solid opener if you want to start strong. The Fra Diavolo lands if you like thin sauces, though one diner found it watery and overly salty. Skip the takeout cheesecake unless portion size doesn't bother you.

Lively and cozy at once. The room has decent energy without tipping into chaos, and you won't have to shout across the table.

Regulars rave about the pizza and wings combo, which one guest called 'harder to find than it should be'. For events, the staff shine. The general manager Javier and server Erin made a surprise birthday brunch feel seamless for a party of fifteen, even accommodating multiple dietary restrictions without hesitation. One recent visitor said, 'the kind of place where you can relax, laugh a little louder than you meant to, and leave completely satisfied.'