Location: 40 Central Park South
Cuisine: Classic Italian
Items: 2 cocktails, 1 appetizer, 1 pizza, 3 entrees, 1 dessert
Best Dish: Everything was delicious but our favorite of the evening was the Seafood Pasta special. It was just the right ratio of pasta to seafood and contained several of our favorite seafood items. Most importantly it contained succulent main lobster and tasty jumbo shrimp, a drool-inducing combination of greatness.
Overall:ย Service was flawless, a great combination of friendly and professional. Don’t let the white table cloths fool you, this is the right space for a good time. The atmosphere is casual despite the opulent surroundings and the staff is fun and playful, combine that with the amazing food and its a winning combination.
Every now and again you must deny yourself that frozen processed lasagna and 99 cent pizza and treat yourself to authentic Italian cuisine. My favorite foodie and I spent a lovely evening enjoying the fare at Villagio Ristorante. Despite being open just a few short months the space was lively and bustling on a random Tuesday night. The seating outside overlooks historic central park with the beautiful yet controversial handsome cabs visible in the distance. Due to the sweltering heat we decided to dine in the beautiful air-conditioned interior. Gorgeous hanging lanterns adorn the back of the venue illuminating the golden fixtures and stark white table cloths.
After a brief introduction to our server and the evening’s specials, we ordered our cocktails. The restaurant does not have a cocktail menu but they do have a fully stocked bar and extensive wine list. I had a well prepared Cosmopolitan and my dinner date enjoyed a dirty dry Grey Goose Martini. Before the arrival of our first course, we were treated to complimentary bread and tomato bruschetta. A delicious and refreshing start to our meal.
We never turn down the chance to have charred octopus, thankfully on our visit, it was one of the specials. The tender succulent octopus was served with a small salad of mixed greens tomatoes and onion.
For a second appetizer, we shared a personal pizza. The size is perfect for sharing as an app or eating solo as an entrรฉe. It is divided into 8 slices and features a tasty thin crust. We chose the “Piccata”, it features a spicy tomato sauce, savory Italian sausage, and gooey melted mozzarella. This is real pizza, fresh flavorful and perfectly prepared.
For our first entrรฉe, we chose another of the specials, spaghetti with a seafood medley of Maine lobster, jumbo shrimp, clams and mussels. Easily one of the best dishes we have had in some time. The seafood was expertly prepared, the sauce sublime and the pasta al dente. Seafood is always a tricky thing to prepare, but somehow the chef at Villagio pulled it off beautifully. The staff made our meal even more enjoyable by being nice enough to supply and tie our bibs for us.
Next up was the lamb shank. ย The shank is the cut of meat just beneath the knee or the shin bone. It is typically braised in wine spices and sauce. At Villagio, the tomato-based sauce and seasonings were impeccable, they truly complement the lamb. The shank was fall off the bone fork-tender and served with potatoes, spinach, and broccoli.
For our last entree, we enjoyed the striped bass. The whole fish is marinated then grilled and served with potatoes and veggies. The fish is simply garnished with lemon and capers for extra flavor. This tasty dish was fresh and a flawless option for a lighter summer dinner.
Though we were completely stuffed we could not resist the temptation of the pineapple sorbet. This delightful dish is served in a hollowed pineapple. It was cool and invigorating a great end to a spectacular meal.
Overall, Villagio is a relaxed unassuming eatery with a fun dedicated staff and a surprisingly relaxed atmosphere. Though dressing up is encouraged, it is not required. Don’t be daunted by the appearance of the white table cloths and well-dressed servers, the space is more about great food and good times than fancy pants pretense. It is luxury minus the stuffy suits and snooty service. Drop on in bring the whole family and don’t be shy about slurping your spaghetti, this is a judgment-free zone.
http://villagiorestaurants.com/