The decor of this spanking new branch of Bella Italia actually shares much in common with the food that it serves - both are fresh, neat and inviting.
And this menu most certainly is attractive - not least while being examined while enjoying a Bellini Cocktail, the perfect fusion of fizzy Prosecco and strawberry liquor.
It might be lunchtime, but what the heck, it is the weekend...
I am a sucker for a simple bruschetta (as regular readers will know), and make a quick decision to delve into the olive oil drizzled, toasted ciabatta, hiding under a bed of tomatoes, red onion and garlic.
A generously sized portion is placed down, while across the table, short work is being made of the Funghi Arrosto.
The mushroom driven dish is served in a creamy mascarpone, garlic and spinach sauce. A hunk of ciabatta sits on the side, soon to be demolished.
We both tackle a Baked Pizza Bread to boot - with mozzarella and garlic parsley butter.
Let's face it, there is nothing unusual about a garlic bread. But a good garlic bread? Now that is worth shouting about - as is the case here.
It pains us to send back a plate with slices still in situ, so we both do the right thing - and work hard to finish the lot. It would be rude not to.
There's a refreshingly great selection for vegetarian diners to choose from at Bella Italia.
Truth be told, we weren't expecting anywhere near the number offered, so rather than bemoaning the fact that there is a limited menu, we spend ages poring over the choices, undecided, but most certainly interested.
Our waitress Stuetina steps in with some help, suggesting the Norma - a dish of wholewheat rigatoni, roasted aubergines and garlic with a cherry tomato sauce and baby mozzarella.
"It's sweet and spicy," she promises, and we take her recommendation.
Back across the table, and the oven baked pasta is picked, a dish of Cannelloni Ricotta, topped with tomato and bechemel sauces.
A short time later, and two piping hot dishes are presented, along with a cheeky portion of fries to share.
Although the Norma (top pic) would work just as well with the omission of the aubergine, it is a taste sensation - and just as we had been advised, it is sweet and spicy.
Ricotta is usually the only veggie option on a menu, and is suitably shoddy.
At Bella, whoever works the menu (and those executing dishes in the kitchen) are both deserving of credit.
There are no complaints here, only empty dishes.
If you take your nutrition seriously, you can still step inside Bella and dine just fine - after all, it's good enough for MKs sporting aces The Dons.
They have become the first VIPs in the country to give their name to a Bella table, here at the MK1 branch.
"We have to be cautious about where and what the players eat when they're dining out, but the menu at Bella Italia has a variety of different options that suit their nutritional needs, " said Damian Doyle, head of Sport Science for the footie side.
To be fair, that won't include a trip to the restaurant's famous Gelato Cart, with its many flavours - from vanilla and strawberry to cocotella, mint chocolate chip and pistachio.
But while the Dons dribble on the pitch, diners dribble all the way to the ice cream corner, and pick from its plump array of toppings - jelly beans, smarties, popping candy, chocolate tagliatelle, whipped cream, fresh strawberries, meringue pieces...you get the idea.
Our dining partner dives in, while we turn to Stuetina once more, who promises the Cookie Dough Lava Cake will sate the sweet tooth in us.
It arrives warm, with vanilla pod ice cream and caramel sauce for accompaniment and proves our downfall.
We are done, stuffed and satisfied.
While dining at MK1 can hardly be compared to a balmy night dining beside the splendour of Rome's Colosseum (although the splendour of stadium:mk is a modern wow), for that authentic Italian taste, step right on in.
Simply perfetto!
Visit:Unit 3, MK1 Leisure Park, Stadium MK, Stadium Way West
Call 01908 372766
