Villaggio Ristorante

Being from the northeast , having moved to Fl two years ago, we really miss good Italian restaurants. The chain restaurants in Fl just don't come close to what we were used to in CT. We tried a few other non-chain pizza and pasta places in the Lutz area that were also so-so. more

My grandparents were from Italy. This food is just like grandma used to make. Greeted with a boisterous ""bueno serra!"" this place hits the spot with welcoming you in like family. The decor is homey and comfortable, not pretentious. It feels just like coming home. The food is OUTSTANDING, the service TOP NOTCH, the wine list is not only affordable, but IMPRESSIVE. We were invited to take the tour by none other than the owner himself. The wine ""cellar"" is very large and well stocked. I think they may have more wine than ABC Liquor... This is a must dine for any foodie and anyone that loves Italian food. The garlic knots are the best, crisply toasty on the outside and soft and hot on the inside and sprinkled liberally with Parmesan cheese, but their bruchetta is the best I've had. Be sure to get it with the fresh mozzarella! I've had nearly every item on the menu and have not been disappointed once. The lasagna is BETTER than my mama's (oh God, don't tell her!) and that's really saying something. They have the best primavera I've ever had. Tonight was the Pasta Al Forno which tasted so much like Grandma's mosticcoli that it brought a tear to my eye. The desserts are out of this world. My favorite is the Tiramisu. Its very rich as are the scrumptious canolis, but the tartufo (the chocolate one) is delicioso. If you're looking for light, there is a lemon tartufo and a limoncello sorbetto that is light, palate cleansing and refreshing. The orange one is beautiful too. I recommend this restaurant to everyone. I don't know why anyone would have anything negative to say about Villagios. I've been there frequently and they always do a wonderful job with the food and the service is exemplary. My mom and I are always greeted with a hug. They also will make your food any way you want, even if its not something that's on the menu. I ordered gnochi alfredo.... oh man, was THAT rich! It was buttery/garlicy/cheesy goodness....heaven on a plate! They made it special, just for me. My mom gets capellini aglio e olio with mushrooms, capers and pomodoro. MMMMMMM! more

We have been to Villaggio's many times in the past and have always had good food and good service. Owners always made rounds and checked our your food was. It is sad to see an old friend slip so far. It was my birthday, and my husband asked where I would like to go for dinner. As it had been a while since we had been here......I voted for Villaggio's.......big mistake. The service was poor. Waiters seemed distracted. I ordered the Surf and Turf for my main course. For starters we had the bruschetta. Very bland chopped tomato; poorly seasoned. The crostini was soggy. You would think the waiter would have gotten the hint when I asked for the Parmesan cheese, and then added salt and pepper and some vinegar. The vinaigrette dressing on the salad was past it's prime as evidenced by the acidic zing. My main course was so bland. Very little flavor. No flavor to the veal or the sauce. The shrimp had a fishy taste and the presentation could have used a little garnish. It was a study in white! I didn't even finish it. Busboy asked if I wanted to take it home. I told him it was a 4 out of 10 and not worth taking home. He shrugged and took it away. For dessert we ordered Tiramisu. Yet another disappointment. Basically overly sweet custard, something spongy and way too much powdered cocoa on top. No coffee flavor at all. Again, I ate only a few forkfuls and pushed it away. We had to wave our waiter down to get a check. It was slapped on the table without so much as a thank you. And no one ever asked how our food was.......not once during the dinner! My negative comment to the busboy got a shrug of the shoulders and that was it. It will be a long time until we consider trying Villaggio's again. Guess they figure after years of producing good food and giving good service, it's time to relax and ride on their laurels. I can't believe I am saying this, but continue driving north and go to Carraba's. At least they are consistent. more

Authentic and very good italian food. I felt like I was back on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. Attentive service. Solid wine list with good offerings at multiple price points. Highly recommend. more

I have been to Villagios several times and have frequented this established for approximately 10 years now. It has undergone several renovations and is always up-to-date. The food is excellent with some of my favorites being pasta pescatore, any veal dish, and sofia spigola. Villagios has an extensive wine list. Don?t forget to try many of their decadent desserts (one of my favorites the creme brulee). The owner is from Italy and definitely knows his food and wine. It also has a banquet room that is great for parties. Service is very good. Enjoy your dinner while listening to the harpist play beautiful arrangements. Overall, this is one of my favorite places to eat and very family oriented. Pros: Overall, a great dining experience. more

This is one of the best Italian restaurants in Tampa. We have tried it numerious times and each time we are more satisfied. The owner makes us feel at home even though he does not know us. We've sampled a lot of the menu and like everything from the Pizza (casual) to the special preperations of Italian favorites. The price compares very favorably to South Tampa haunts, and is worth the drive----but its for the food, not the atmosphere. A surprise for Lutz, a quality restaurant no matter where located. Pros: This place delivers from the welcome to the final course. Cons: Small, not most comfortable chairs, closed Monday's more

We visited on a Friday night at 7:00 and only waited a few minutes to be seated. The owner/host was quite gracious and outgoing and it seemed as though he was friendly with most of the customers in the restaurant that night. No complaints regarding the atmosphere - nice harp music playing, sufficient lighting, healthy mixture of families and couples. A few reviews have noted that the restaurant seems small, but the owner seemed to manage his space effectively, as there never appeared to be a significant wait during our entire meal. A few minor drawbacks regarding the management include the service and seating. It took a few extra minutes for us to receive service, and while our waiter was pretty knowledgeable, he abandoned us after clearing our salads, leaving the bus boys as our only contact with the waitstaff. Such slow and inattentive service seemed to be consistent throughout, as many other tables looked a bit annoyed at their lack of informed service. Also, reservations are only taken for parties of six or more, so if you have a small party, there's no telling where you'll be seated... Pros: High quality entrees, affordable ($48 check for two with wine and salads), pleasant Cons: Inattentive service, no reservations, wine temp more

OK - I had a reasonably OK meal at this place once. It was about 2 years ago (2006). The food was expensive and the service was poor, but the food was pretty good. The place has definitely gone downhill. Cons: small, dark, service horrible more

I have been to Villaggio six times in the last year. Having spent much time in Italy recently, I can say with authority that this restaurant is without question the most authentic Italian dining experience I have had in Florida. Their presentation and style is like the best osterias I visited in northern Italy. The pasta dishes are cooked to perfection, sauces are deeply satisfying. I usually ask for the pasta served with marinara, but the mixed seafood and pasta is one of the top ten best things I have ever eaten. The frozen sorbet is an exquisite, unforgetable dessert. The service is gracious and attentive, even with kids, which I always bring. The owner greets me like an old friend every time. Villaggio is, in my opinion, what eating out is all about. more

This is by far my favorite restaurant. I have traveled to Italy and I think Villagio is better! Wonderful sauce, wonderful service. Molto bene, fantastico! Pros: Best food, small town atmosphere, not commercialized Cons: Very small more

Villaggio is one of the best Italian resteraunts in the area. The food is made there, Their sauces are all original made from scratch... and their service is fantastic! Pros: Great Food, Great Service, Very Friendly more

Restaurant is fantastic. Always having specials-some not on menu. When I went back, even the special I had before was not on the menu or was not the current special, they made that dish for me(baked Zita w/italian sausage). The chef comes out to talk to customers. Everyone is friendly & I have never been dissappointed in any of the dishes. Highly recommend. Address is confusing for those not familiar with Lutz. It faces Hwy. 41. Will do private parties on Sundays. Pros: personable, quality/quanity, private parties Sun. Cons: small, not open until 4p, address confusing more