Question: When is Bella, a new restaurant downtown, going to open? How about Jean-Robert de Cavel's new restaurant? And that pub in Rookwood Commons?

        Answer: Restaurateurs like to open new places in the fall and catch a boost from holiday business. But it always takes a little longer than planned.

        • Jean-Robert at Pigall's was originally, optimistically, scheduled to open downtown in November, but that was back at the beginning, before they found asbestos that needed to be removed from the Fourth Street site. Look for a spring opening for that contemporary French place.

        Other restaurants have made their self-imposed deadlines.

        • Bella, the new restaurant in the space that was Plaza 600 at Sixth and Walnut streets, opened Monday. It's from Queen City Restaurant Group, the owners of Teller's, Watson Bros. and Jump Cafe. It will be open for dinner, but plans are to be serving lunch by Dec. 3. Hours: 4-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 4 p.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday. Lunch will start at 11 a.m. Monday-Friday. 721-7100.

        • Owners of Vito's Cafe in Fort Thomas have been doing dry runs and will open to the public Friday. In the former location of Chez Alphonse, Vito's will feature opera-singing servers and Italian food. Hours: 4:30-10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 4:30-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 4:30-9 p.m. Sunday. (859) 442-9444.

        If all goes well, at least two more restaurants will open in December:

        • The Pub at Rookwood Mews, a new English-style establishment from Nick Sanders of Nicholson's and deSha's, has a tentative opening date of Dec. 6 in Norwood, but it may be a little later in the month. 841-2748.

        • The Tousey House in Burlington is waiting for final inspections and approvals. If all goes well, it will begin serving in mid-December. Plans call for contemporary, regional cuisine served in a historic house. (859) 689-0200.
        Questions or comments to dining critic Polly Campbell by fax: 768-8330; e-mail: pcampbell@enquirer.com.
       

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