[Yorio]

I contend that to me the best restaurant in/near The Villages is the Chef's of Napoli III in Oxford on 301. I say this because I don't like soft pasta which were so prevalent in Italian restaurants of bygone eras in the U.S. Just like in Italy all pasta dishes here are al dente. Second, I love the heavier level virgin Olive oils from Tuscany. Their oil which they serve with bread which comes from the Campgnia district of Italy is like the ones I know from Tuscany. The bread too is quite good though I had better in many other places. Many of my friends talk about Confessori Pasta Cucina but I beg to differ. Some prefer Francesco. Perhaps we should pick a particular entree and compare but over all I'll pick Chef's.

[zcaveman]

I am a big fan of Olive Garden on 466. Everything is delicious The bread sticks are very flavorful and the salad is to die for. The entrees come with just the right amount of spices and are so tasty.

My wife loves the Five Cheese Zita al Forma and I love the Chicken Parmigiana because of the diced tomato and the light tomato sauce.

The desserts are great but I usually get them to go as I am too full with the excellent meal!!

Just writing this makes me want to check and see if I have a discount coupon to Olive Garden.

Z

[Cedwards38]

I've had nothing but good meals at Mezza Luna in Colony Plaza.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by Yorio

I contend that to me the best restaurant in/near The Villages is the Chef's of Napoli III in Oxford on 301. I say this because I don't like soft pasta which were so prevalent in Italian restaurants of bygone eras in the U.S. Just like in Italy all pasta dishes here are al dente. Second, I love the heavier level virgin Olive oils from Tuscany. Their oil which they serve with bread which comes from the Campgnia district of Italy is like the ones I know from Tuscany. The bread too is quite good though I had better in many other places. Many of my friends talk about Confessori Pasta Cucina but I beg to differ. Some prefer Francesco. Perhaps we should pick a particular entree and compare but over all I'll pick Chef's.

Yorio: My wife concurs. My maternal/paternal grandparents migrated from villages outside Naples. I have not eaten there yet but my wife brought home one of their menu's and just about every item was something my family made. So I am interested in trying this restaurant....my mother cooked her pasta al dente and often made her own pasta

[RedChariot]

There are no best Italian here in The Villages or surrounding area. They are all mediocre at best. Mezza Luna one of the worst. Management there has that Jersey attitude. I know, I'm from their area in Jersey. At that restaurant in NJ if they served someone what they serve us here, they would not be in business. FL just can't do Italian, I guess.

[MikeV]

Originally Posted by RedChariot

There are no best Italian here in The Villages or surrounding area. They are all mediocre at best. Mezza Luna one of the worst. Management there has that Jersey attitude. I know, I'm from their area in Jersey. At that restaurant in NJ if they served someone what they serve us here, they would not be in business. FL just can't do Italian, I guess.

I kind of agree I grew up in an Italian family in NJ. I have resigned myself to never tasting food like that ever again since I am the last one still kicking.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I know it's a chain, but Carrabba's is great.

I also like Little Joey's, but I had one bad experience there.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by MikeV

I kind of agree I grew up in an Italian family in NJ. I have resigned myself to never tasting food like that ever again since I am the last one still kicking.

Mike: My wife and I have been together since childhood and so I made certain that my mother mentored her on the family's favorites. it worked but we too are the last

[laryb]

Originally Posted by MikeV

I kind of agree I grew up in an Italian family in NJ. I have resigned myself to never tasting food like that ever again since I am the last one still kicking.

Originally Posted by RedChariot

There are no best Italian here in The Villages or surrounding area. They are all mediocre at best. Mezza Luna one of the worst. Management there has that Jersey attitude. I know, I'm from their area in Jersey. At that restaurant in NJ if they served someone what they serve us here, they would not be in business. FL just can't do Italian, I guess.

We have several good Italian friends that are from Jersey, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. The one from Brooklyn even went to cooking school in Tuscany, and we all frequent Angelo's in Tavares. We all love it there. Wonderful apps, entrees, and the absolute best garlic bread I have ever had. The owner, who is from Italy, always walks through the dining room greeting diners, and checking to see if people are satisfied.

[Blessed2BNTV]

DH and I went this past week. We are both second generation Italian and thought the food was excellent.

I had the spaghetti with olive oil and garlic (spaghetti alio e olio) he had riggatoni al nonna. Food was reasonably priced, service was good, and atmosphere was great.

Looking forward to our next meal at Chef's of Napoli.

[Walter123]

Originally Posted by RedChariot

There are no best Italian here in The Villages or surrounding area. They are all mediocre at best. Mezza Luna one of the worst. Management there has that Jersey attitude. I know, I'm from their area in Jersey. At that restaurant in NJ if they served someone what they serve us here, they would not be in business. FL just can't do Italian, I guess.

Even if they all sucked, there would still be a best.

[Chatbrat]

So which Italian restaurant will win the title "Cream of the Crap", honestly there is a real Italian restaurant here & praising the Olive Garden is laughable

[Walter123]

Originally Posted by Chatbrat

So which Italian restaurant will win the title "Cream of the Crap", honestly there is a real Italian restaurant here & praising the Olive Garden is laughable

I agree that OG is not Italian, more like american Italian. Just like Chinese is american Chinese. But....it is what it is. Make your own at home or visit one of the many as "close to Italian" restaurants as you can get around here. There are many that have very good food.

[Skip]

Just noticed on The Villages Gourmet Club facebook page that there's a new Italian restaurant in Mount Dora that sounds good. I'll have to try it.

Skip

[folkh]

Big Bobs he is father of the owner of Little Joeys.