[NYGUY]

We have been a few times to Confessore Pasta Cucina and will be returning many more times. This is simply the best Italian/Pasta place in or near The Villages or I would expect within a 50 mile radius. Now, if you enjoy the Italian Chain type of places, this is probably not the place for you. This is real Italian, not some American made up kind of Italian.

The food is fantastic, with many different sauces from Joyce's (the owner) family experiences pared with 4 different pastas. The sauces, for the most part, are not laden with meat (although you can get spaghetti and meatballs (which are delicious and just like my Italian wife's meatballs). The pasta is served very hot, as it should be. The desserts are to die for, especially the ricotta cheesecake. You will not get out quickly as everything is made to order. So, just relax and enjoy an experience seldom seen in these rural environs.

[sueandskip]

I would bet most of you order the same thing everytime you go to an Italian restaurant...So the best any of you can say is one makes your favorite dish better then the other...

[Bonanza]

Olive Garden's bread sticks and salad are a joke. Nothing Italian about them. I find their salad dressing has a little too much vinegar. I's definitely sort of American Italian for lack of thinking about it too long. I think the food which isn't bad, is designed for the 90 year-old palate.

Confessore only serves pasta so if you want something else as a main course, there isn't anything.

Chefs of Napoli seems to have some very good dishes, but they still don't have their act together. It's extremely crowded and noisy, parking is a disaster, they run out of some main items such as shrimp (!). If you're short on patience, don't go.

Little Joey's is pretty decent and good value for the dollar. Their entrees are good, bread only so-so, excellent pizza and good service. Tuesday they always run a special on their large pizza for $7.99.

There are many more Italian restaurants around. Try them and let TOTV know about some that you've tried!

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by sueandskip

I would bet most of you order the same thing everytime you go to an Italian restaurant...So the best any of you can say is one makes your favorite dish better then the other...

That may be what you do but I think it's a gross exaggeration
with the exception of kids who order spaghetti and meatballs all the time.

Thanks for your suggestions on this thread.

[Jdmiata]

IMO......

Best......Giovanni's
Chiefs Of Napoli
MezzaLuna

Worst.....red sauce
Luigino's

[TNLAKEPANDA]

Just goes to show you there is no Best of anything especially food. Everyone has a different idea of what taste good to them. Go try them all or better yet try cooking your own. It's bound to be better.

[JSR22]

Angelo's
Mesa de Notte Ocala
Confessore
Meza Luna
Ricciardis
Giovannis
Chefs of Napoli

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by sueandskip

I would bet most of you order the same thing everytime you go to an Italian restaurant...So the best any of you can say is one makes your favorite dish better then the other...

I don't think this is a true statement. Maybe for some people who are non-Italian, who might order spaghetti.

I am Italian and order dishes that my family made, that require a goodly amount of work. It could be lasagna, manicotti, gnocchi's, veal parm,etc....... Spaghetti can be boiled in 8 minutes, (approximately). To me, the quality of the sauce and or gravy is important.

The jury is still out for me, as I have not eaten at all of the various Italian restaurants.

Sorry Z, but OG is the pits, so I have to agree to disagree respectfully. Someone had given me a gift card that I should have given to you.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

I don't think this is a true statement. Maybe for some people who are non-Italian, who might order spaghetti.

I am Italian and order dishes that my family made, that require a goodly amount of work. It could be lasagna, manicotti, gnocchi's, veal parm,etc....... Spaghetti can be boiled in 8 minutes, (approximately). To me, the quality of the sauce and or gravy is important.

The jury is still out for me, as I have not eaten at all of the various Italian restaurants.

Sorry Z, but OG is the pits, so I have to agree to disagree respectfully. Someone had given me a gift card that I should have given to you.

Have you tried Mom & Dad's on 441? The pasta is home made and the sauce is very similar to my Nana's. It's a small place but they take reservations.

[NebraskaRon]

Big Bob's hands down!!!!!

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by Rael Furniture In House Repair

my house

Excellent! What are the hours of your kitchen and do you take reservations?

[Tom Hannon]

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.

I took Yori's expert advice and visited Chef of Napoli Last Sunday. As good as any Italian food I had in Florida. Being fom Long Island i have had some of the best Italian food on the planet. Service was good also. I had Veal Cutlet Parm. Next time I will try something else. For those who haven't eaten at Napoli's yet,
please do so. You will not be disappointed. Thanks for the suggestion, Yori.

[rdhdleo]

Originally Posted by dbussone

Have you tried Mom & Dad's on 441? The pasta is home made and the sauce is very similar to my Nana's. It's a small place but they take reservations.

We tried Mom and Dads once because it came high recommended, maybe it was an off night but the sauce was one of the worst I have ever had even Ragu would be better.(no I on't eat Ragu LOL)

[Northwoods]

I was very disappointed in Chefs of Napoli. I'm surprised it's getting good reviews. Don't plan to go back.

[Spikearoni]

Originally Posted by JSR22

Angelo's
Mesa de Notte Ocala
Confessore
Meza Luna
Ricciardis
Giovannis
Chefs of Napoli

Are all of these restaurants except Mesa de Notte in TV?