Mitchelli's Family Restaurant A Hit With This Family

Years ago, in the time known as B.C. (before children), my husband and I loved Trattoria Mitchelli, the Pioneer Square Italian restaurant. A.D. (after diapers) I remembered it longingly, but felt it wouldn't be a high-chair kind of place.

We still haven't been back, but imagine my delight at discovering its sibling, Bella Luna. Located along a residential section of Greenwood Avenue North, this trattoria is one of what are now billed as four Mitchelli family restaurants. Besides the Pioneer Square location, there's also Angelina's in West Seattle and Stella's in the University District.

Grandma, the two kids and I showed up at 6 p.m. on a Sunday and discovered that lots of other families have discovered Bella Luna's casual, attractive atmosphere.

The colorable kid's menu lists breakfast selections (available weekend mornings) plus lunch or dinner entrees. Want to feed a baby for under $2? There's buttered pasta for $1.85 - or even less on Thursdays, when kids are weighed, then pay 2 cents per pound for anything on the children's menu. Other junior selections include pasta with meatless marinara sauce ($2.35), meat lasagna or cheese ravioli ($3.35 each), pepperoni pizza ($3.95) and on the high end, chicken parmigiana ($5.95).

My daughters chose the pasta with meat sauce ($2.95) and the meatball spaghetti ($3.50). Both were delivered in deep bowls. Smart move since the menu challenges youngsters to twirl their spaghetti on their fork.

Grandma selected the daily special: almost half a baked tarragon chicken accompanied with pasta marinara and salad ($8.95). I chose the fettuccini con pollo e nocciale ($8.65), otherwise known as pasta with chicken and toasted hazelnuts in a rich, sherry-spiked sauce. It, too, came with crisp nicely dressed salad.

Other adult offerings include individual 10-inch pizzas priced from $6.45 for pepperoni to $8.65 for a nine-ingredient extravaganza. There are numerous pasta offerings, veal (touted as being Humane Farming Association approved), calzone, appetizers and more.

All our meals were well prepared, attractive and tasty. To please youngsters, the chef has even toned down the spices in the meatballs. The only thing wrong with our dinner was that eventually we had to leave.

With Bella Luna successfully under our belts, perhaps it's time to try Trattoria Mitchelli again.

Restaurant: Bella Luna Trattoria, 14053 Greenwood Ave. N., Seattle; 367-5862.

Hours: Mon.-Thurs.: 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri.: 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sat.: 8 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun.: 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

High chairs/booster chairs: yes.

Kid's menu: for kids under 12.

Nonsmoking area: yes.

Beverages: full bar.

Taking the Kids appears the first Saturday of each month. Seattle Times reviewers visit restaurants anonymously and unannounced. They pay for all food, beverages and service. They interview restaurant staff only after meals have been appraised.