03/05/09

A Good Meal Every Time

by tk986

I have been to Villa over a dozen times and each time it is good, solid Italain food. I recommend this place to everybody and it usually one of my top choices when dining out down the city. Love the Bella Buca.

• Pros: the food..YUM, the cannolis

11/20/08

Italian food

by Ilovephily

Im an Italian girl but just wasn't loving it. The red sauce when I went 4 years ago was enough to keep me form staying away. Atleast it was affordable.

10/03/07

Nothing Special

by cafecritic

Stopped in one afternoon with 2 others for lunch, service was good but food was just ok nothing exceptional going on here. If I am going to eat out for dinner I want to stick to a restaurant that is consistently very good.

08/09/07

Liquid cra_k

by lvemyfood

Growing up in an Italian household we NEVER went out for Italian food. It's just something we didn't do. When you grow up w/ "home mades" that's it. That is until Villa di Roma. My wife introduced me to it at the time we were dating and I was extremely skeptical. Well, that was 7 years ago and I look foward to going every so often ( monthly, lately back to back weekends). If your looking for an old fashioned no frills Italian setting then this is it. Some of the "older" servers remind me of my grandmother, not very personable but will do anything for ya. The "younger ones Lisa and especially AnnaMaire are awsome. The Shrimp scampi sauce is like liquid cra_k. Heavy garlic and heavy butter mmmmmm. You will dip a whole loaf of bread because you can't get enough. Mussels in red are the same. Gnocchi are wonderful and the meatballs are as good as my moms/wife. No kidding. The drive from South Jersey is 100% worth it. Just writing this my mouth is watering. Heck maybe we'll go tonight.

• Pros: True Italian experience, Scampi sauce, red sauce, pastas
• Cons: I guess cash only

05/24/07

Major dissapointment!

by candhcof

Villa di Roma restaurant is like a trashy Bollywood movie -- you know the ones with a poor beginning, a lousy middle and a stupid ending. Located on South 9th St in Philadelphia, Villa di Roma restaurant serves some of the most tasteless Italian food we've had the misfortune to eat in the City of Brotherly Love.

An egregious insult to Italian cuisine, Villa di Roma food defies the most robust appetite. It's safe to say that Villa di Roma chef wouldn't recognize real pasta. It was that bad. Served in a watery gravy, this spice-less impostor was bland with not even a semblance of taste. Perhaps the Villa di Roma kitchen was scrimping on spices and tomatoes, all of the key ingredients that give the tomato gravy its heavenly taste. If we were disappointed with the pasta, we were mortified by Villa di Roma's steak. Overcooked (in the oven), the mussels were dry with ugly patches of spots. Clearly, Villa di Roma is a restaurant wannabe that seems to be coasting along with an "anything goes" attitude. Pasta dishes were pathetic and a complete negation of Italian cooking. Garlic bread was absolutely horrendous that to linger any further on these abominations would be an utter waste of readers' time. With a sweet tooth that even the onset of Diabetes hasn't been able to curb, we ventured into dessert territory. Cannoli was so pitiful that we couldn't believe it came out of an Italian kitchen. Service is an afterthought at Villa di Roma. Our meal ended as it began -- on a bitter note -- with our first sip of the vino, the vilest concoction that ever touched our lips. Villa di Roma is an Italian restaurant that fails at the most elementary tasks. Just what is this restaurant capable of? The sad answer, not much. RY

• Pros: .
• Cons: .

03/19/07

Half carafe of jug wine $18.00 REDICULOUS

by samuelnw

Food great, service great, atmosphere - it is what it is wonderful. The wine price brings it way down... SAD for a wonderful place like this to be dragged down by high priced cheap wine.

• Pros: Great service, great food, South Philly atmosphere - wonderful.
• Cons: $18.00 for a half carafe of cheap jug wine. Why?

01/08/07

Cash only ARE YOU KIDDING?- and shady area

by dnsworldtravelers

Menu was adequate but did not take credit cards and as travelers that is essential. We traveled a distance to get there on a recommendation and were disappointed with the area and the cash only business. We doubt we will return with the green after first impressions.

• Pros: Cannot comment
• Cons: Parking, cash only <---enough said!

12/07/06

Perfect traditional Italian food

by tamablue

We live in the neighborhood and VDR is our favorite -- we can't get enough. We keep saying "We should really try a new place..." but once you get a taste of it it's all you're in the mood for. We love it. I get the same dish every single time. The food is basic, it's good, it's traditional. Nothing fancy about it -- which is great. The servers always look like they're having a great time, which adds to the fun, loud (but not too loud!!) atmosphere. Whenenver we have guests visit from out of town we take them to VDR. It's a classic Philadelphia restaurant.

• Pros: Excellent sauce!!! Servers and bartenders are super friendly
• Cons: The host/owner might want to work on his charm! He's not the friendliest...

11/29/06

Absolutely Outstanding

by cheechnj

Excellent! Really well prepared simple Italian American food.. Had chicken cacciatore, escarole with garlic and oil - even had 2 meatballs for good measure... All great - everyone I was with enjoyed as well.. The only people who will not like this are snooty Italian-Italians and non-Italian Americans who went to Italy on a Perillo tour and are now experts on OUR food. This is 100% Italian American South Philly!! Try it!!

• Pros: Great food
• Cons: Cash only

11/15/06

Want authentic Italian? You're going to the right place

by lblazie

By far, one of the best Italian restaurants I've been to. No frills, great food, little bit of 'tude in the waitresses, but who can blame them? The place is always packed. Extremely reasonable prices. Went with a group of people and everyone was pleased with their dinners!

• Pros: italian food, great atmosphere
• Cons: street parking