If you read my blog regularly, you know that I am as brutally honest as they come. I highlight the positives as well as the negatives. In fact even when accentuating the positives as well as the negatives, sometimes I will receive backlash (well, once) for the slightest negative comment. I have even been told my comments as slight as they were can ruin a business even though I do not think I have THAT much influence. The reason I am saying this is because this blog entry is going to highlight a little family owned Italian BYOB in Montclair called Villa Victoria. This establishment has a pizzeria on one side and a restaurant on the other. Years ago before they added the restaurant I stopped in a couple times with a friend for pizza. The slices were always large in size and always very good. When I learned they expanded and and added a restaurant, I started following Villa Victoria and Chef Floyd on Instagram. I received a follow back from the Chef. This location has been on my list for a while. I was finally able to make reservation for a Saturday night at 6pm. When I called I had no idea that Chef Floyd took my reservation until I contacted him on Instagram to let him know I was coming to Villa Victoria for the first time. Chef took the time to send me a private message with a picture of a cute little corner table with a simple note saying “your table.”
Before going to Villa Victoria, I searched reviews online at Yelp, Trip Advisor and their Facebook page as I always do. There were a lot of recent negative reviews. Some stated that the pasta was too al dente. Some said the staff was rude. Some said that they were there were there for 2-3 hours waiting on food since the pizzeria and restaurant share a kitchen. Some said they were out of certain things on the menu. Some said the pricing on the menus is outdated. Let me address your concerns! While my friend and dining associate did not experience a long wait, we would not have had a problem if we did. We are the types of people who do not want to be rushed when we are out to eat. The last thing I want is my appetizer still on the table and dinner brought to the table at the same time. Nothing annoys me more. If you enjoy the
company you’re with and you’re sharing a good bottle of wine, why does it matter how long it takes for the food to come out unless you’re going to a concert or something that starts at a specific time?
When we arrived at 6pm, no patrons were there. By the time we left, there were four tables. We were greeted by Victor who seated us at the cute little table Chef had showed me. Victor also turned out to be our waiter. He opened up our wine and read us the specials. In the right hand corner of the restaurant was a hired DJ known as DJ Cassanova.
Two pieces of bruschetta were brought on a plate to the table and a small basket with two pieces of bread and two garlic knots.
Villa Victoria has a very large menu. There is something for everyone. You have the option of ordering off the dinner menu as well as the pizzeria menu as it is combined. We started with the stuffed mushrooms (stuffed with spinach, sausage, and ricotta in a brandy cream sauce).
The first thing you notice visually is the dark color of the cooked spinach. Taste wise, the sausage is the star. The brandy cream sauce had a nice rustic color and was not overly creamy at all. The slight garlic flavor of the sauce added to the experience but was not overpowering. The mushrooms themselves were perfectly cooked and just the right size. They were not chewy or mushy. The individual I was dining with is not a huge fan of mushrooms but really enjoyed this appetizer.
We both ended up ordering the same entrée which was the Rigatoni Morillo (chicken, mushrooms, rigatoni, spinach and bacon in a parmesan cream sauce). This particular dish was recently added to the regular menu as it used to only be featured on the pizzeria menu. The rigatoni morillo was out of my comfort zone. I’m usually not a fan of cream sauces but as stated above, Chef’s cream sauces are not heavy. They were nice and light. One of the other waiters told me he believed the cream sauce in our entrée was made with a little cream and béchamel.
The pasta was cooked perfectly. I am not a big al dente fan myself but I am telling you that the rigatoni was not undercooked or hard or chewy. Visually once again the spinach was the star. The bacon flavor shined but did not take over the dish. The chicken was cooked and flavored well. It was a nice added protein to the entrée.
At the end of our dinner, we were handed a dessert menu and told they were out of the Reginetta and out of the Sfogliatelle. This didn’t bother me. The Reginetta had Amaretto ice cream which I can’t eat anyway and sadly I had no idea at that moment what Sfogliatelle entailed. I later learned it was a shell shaped filled Italian pastry (I’m sure my Italian grandmother is turning in her grave.) We ordered one tiramisu and a New York style cheesecake. The tiramisu was moist and fresh. The New York style cheesecake was creamy and fresh.
Our total came to $55.20 with dessert. Our experience from soup to nuts was perfect! We were in and out in about an hour and 45 minutes. The DJ played music I loved and stuff anyone can enjoy. Victor was very attentive as was the bus staff. The other waiter engaged us in dialogue and was very friendly. Chef Floyd came to the table twice and also thanked us for coming as we were leaving.
My only thoughts for Chef Floyd would be to log into Yelp and go onto Facebook and defend himself and his restaurant to these upset patrons. If someone comments, comment back. Perhaps on social media make a statement or ask someone in the social media field to constantly post and stay connected to the public. Provide warm fresh bread for the tables and if menus are outdated price wise, update them. The food and staff speak for themselves.
So, I will ask you Yelp and Facebook reviewers, were we at the same restaurant because I didn’t experience anything you did?
Go to Villa Victoria if you haven’t. If you have, make an early reservation and give them another try. Visit them in warm weather months as they have outside dining.
There is a lot to park right next door. Tell Chef Floyd you read Lisa’s review on The Food Connection Blog or contact him via social media. Promotions are forthcoming so keep checking the sites.
Villa Victoria
11 Park Street
Montclair, NJ
http://www.villavictorianj.com
Find them on Facebook and Instagram
*The views and opinions expressed in this entry (and every entry) are mine and my dining partner’s alone.
About Lisa: Jersey girl born and raised. Lover of good food, good wine, theatre being with good friends, laughing and relaxing.
Going out to eat and preparing delicious meals at home is about connecting to the food, feeling a sense of enjoyment and fulfillment whether your hosting a gathering or eating for one.
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