A place that comes recommended sets a certain expectation. Not perfection, but at least a level of care that shows up on the plate. This visit didn't land there. **FOOD** The issues here weren't about complexity. They were about fundamentals. The chicken parmesan sandwich set the tone. Instead of a proper cutlet, it came out as heavily breaded chicken strips. That changes the entire structure of the dish. It eats more like a shortcut than a decision, and not a good one. The cannoli didn't help. The shells were fine, but the filling was clearly not made in-house. That's where it falls apart. Cannoli filling is simple, and when a place skips even that step, it raises questions about the rest of the kitchen. Pizza and the rest of the table followed the same pattern. Nothing outright inedible, just consistently underwhelming. No one at the table finished with anything worth talking about, and that usually tells the story better than anything else. This isn't about chasing authenticity. It's about doing the basics correctly and choosing not to cut corners. **SERVICE** Service was polite and steady. Orders were taken correctly, food came out in a reasonable time, and there were no issues with attentiveness. That said, the service felt like it matched the room. Functional, but a bit worn down. Nothing wrong, just not much energy behind it. **AMBIENCE** The space feels dated and a little tired. Lighting is on the darker side, and the overall environment gives the impression that it hasn't been refreshed in a while. It's not uncomfortable, just lacking any sense of upkeep or intention. **CLOSING** This is the kind of place that doesn't fail because it's trying something difficult. It falls short because it isn't executing the basics well. There's a foundation here that could work, but right now it feels like it's been left alone too long. When the small things slip, everything else follows. **RATINGS** Food: ** Service: *** Ambiance: *** Overall: ** Personal Disclaimer: I value small, independent restaurants and want them to succeed. This review reflects a single visit and may not represent every experience. ***EVERY RESTAURANT IS WORTH TRYING FOR YOURSELF. Go, see what you get, and be honest in how you evaluate it.*** I've worked as an executive chef, restaurant manager, and owner. I tend to hold places to a higher standard. Execution matters. Freshness matters. Effort shows. Cutting corners usually does too. read more

Had a large group takeout order. Food arrived hot and orders were correct! Chicken parm left something to be desired- breading was basically a giant chicken nugget. The garlic breadsticks were AMAZING! read more

This is our new Italian place! They make great pizzas! They also serve a wonderful Chicken parm. What is amazing about this place is that they have gluten-free pasta and bread! The service is top notch with a friendly wait staff. It is a family resturant so it is a bit noisy so snuggle up on the same side of the booth and enjoy! read more

We came here as a group of nine for Sunday lunch! The restaurant was full, so we had to wait around 10 minutes in the waiting area! The waitress was very kind and accommodating! We ordered our drinks and meals, and they were delivered hot & fresh within 7 to 10 minutes! The food was as we expected.... delicious!! This restaurant has been in this area for a long time and remained consistently popular in Lynchburg. I highly recommend this place! We hope to be back someday soon! read more

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This Italian restaurant issituated in a rather "dated" building, that appears to have been a Shakey's Pizza place at one time. Nevertheless. it was comfortable and the service was quick and efficient. Our group had a number of standard Italian-American dishes including a small pizza and it was all good, if generic. nothing very original or innovative. They seem to have been set in their wassy for many years. There is outside dining if you choose and plenty of free parking. A bit pricy for my taste but servings were large. Lots of parking. Buon appetito read more

The bread sticks I got were delightful had great flavor and immaculate texture. I also got spaghetti that tasted just like Italian grandmas recipe (which is divine). Food arrived very quick. And the vibe was great 10/10 experience . read more

I'm a college student who is on a keto diet and it can be very hard to find food that can match the standard of keto. The keto options I have are few, but this restaurant will be on my list for the best keto restaurant in Lynchburg. Along with the keto option, the community atmosphere is a big part of my review too. The manager walks around and talks to his customers, the waitress are supper kind and considerate, and the restaurant openly supports Christ, family, the military, and the police. I have no idea why this place does not have higher reviews!! read more

La Villa - Keto Casserole, large portions and great taste! - Italian Near Me - Lynchburg, Virginia

Want to start off by saying I was super excited to come and try this restaurant because it is always busy everytime I drive by. When we first walked in the restaurant it seemed very clean and super friendly. The service initially was very quick but slowly got worse as the meal went on. The food was cold for both meals and expensive for what it was (up charge on everything) especially for salad that is just a pinch of lettuce. The pasta for being an Italian restaurant is definitely nothing to rave home about. The pasta was VERY under seasoned and definitely very upsetting with how the meal turned out as well, especially since it was a $52 meal for two pasta and 2 salad upgrades with water. Also while eating they were cleaning the room behind us and for about half the meal we are overtaken with the smell of bleach which is great that they are cleaning but just need to be aware of when they are doing this with customers trying to eat. Unfortunately I don't think I will ever be coming back to this restaurant for another try! read more

My son and I went to La Villa on a Friday night. I was looking forward to eating something other than GF pizza and to dine in instead of eating on the road. The interesting part about their offerings is that they offer a separate Keto menu. I could have ordered off their Keto menu instead, but I was looking forward to some pasta and sauce. My son ordered the mozzarella sticks and a 14-inch cheese pizza, and I ordered the Mediterranean Delight with gluten free pasta. The Mediterranean Delight has shrimp, mussels in the shell, and clams in a rosey sauce which is slightly spicy with basil. The six mozzarella sticks and marinara sauce were served quickly. My son enjoyed them, and it looked like they had a beer batter quality to them. Although the place was large with several people, our order was served in less than 10 minutes. The food was hot and delicious. My son described the crust as fluffy, and the dough was not too thick. It reminded us of classic NY style pizza. My dish was perfect. The shrimp was cut into smaller pieces, the clams were diced and swam throughout the dish, and the mussels were steaming. What I loved was that the seafood was cooked to be tender and not overcooked. Unfortunately, they did not have any gluten free dessert to offer us that evening, and we left full and satisfied. Our server Mac was very kind and courteous. We would love to return someday soon. read more

Went with friend for lunch today. We both pulled off several wilted pieces of lettuce from our plates of food. After that, tossed salad and sub tasted delicious. Our waitress said everything she was trained to say, but with the attitude that she really couldn't care if we needed anything and if everything was alright. I don't believe Mike was there during our visit, as we could tell with the 'different' customer service we received. Mike normally interacts with his customers, but that didn't happen today. I will try again in the future. read more

Mike and his staff work hard to make and serve the best Italian food in Lynchburg. La Villa has also contributed to various community partners monetarily by holding fundraisers and donation activities. The only thing that has changed over the last year, is serving beautiful Italian dishes IN PLASTIC BOWLS. Please bring back "real" plates - not only do they keep heat longer in a wonderful dish, but the presentation is cheapened by plastic bowls. read more

Wow wee! This Italian restaurant is a do NOT miss spot! Yummy food; good service; great prices! They will customize anything for you! They even have a Keto menu for those that are low carb!! Don't miss this restaurant when in Lynchburg! read more

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Had the 22" pizza. Definitely a good size. Requested well done and it definitely was. Never had a well done pie where the cheese was more dark than the bottom. Crust was dark but surprisingly limp. Little bit crispier would have been much better. read more

They were fine, but they charged us for the dinner menu when we were there at 11:45. We paid twice as much as we should have because they over charged us. Wasn't worth what we paid for lunch sized food with a dinner size price. read more

I came for lunch on a weekday, around 1 pm, and had no trouble getting seating at this time. Unfortunately, things started out on a bad note: when the water arrived, there was a big bit of something sticking to the inside of my cup. Our server took care of the issue kindly and politely. I also smelled something resembling nicotine for most of our meal. Thankfully La Villa isn't the one restaurant in America that still has a smoking section, but having these things happen made it seem dirty in general. The food was pretty good, though. You get garlic bread with your meal; it's buttery and well-seasoned without filling you up too much, just the way bread should be. The chicken and vegetables (with gluten-free penne and "spicy" tomato sauce added on) was decent. The meat and veggies were good on their own, but the pasta and sauce added a lot to the dish! But, as you might have guessed from the quotation marks, the sauce wasn't spicy. I forgot I had ordered spicy sauce until I was driving home--not once did the dish give me a kick. Best to ask for red peppers to put on yourself. Dirty cups and odd smells aside, there are enough solid options in Lynchburg that La Villa doesn't grab as much attention. It's fine if you're craving Italian at a good price. read more

La Villa - Chicken and Vegetables* with gluten-free penne and spicy sauce - Italian Near Me - Lynchburg, Virginia

Go elsewhere where service actually means something. If you are wanting Italian, go to Isabella's. Absolutely rude table with terrible front service. Felt as if we were racially discriminated against. read more

As Claire handed us menus, she asked if we'd seen the specials. I forgot the first because she was so enthusiastic about the second, I said, "I'll have that" before she finished her descriptor! Essentially spaghetti (handmade from flavorful butternut squash) with chunks of quality chicken and maple bacon in a homemade creamy pesto sauce topped with fresh basil and cheeses. It did not disappoint! Mike is testing one new dish each week as he decides what will go on the new menu. He is personally preparing these dishes throughout the day to ensure he has enough fresh supply without having too much. I've always loved this place, and my friends always seem to suggest it, among our choices for any given occasion out. Whether its a nicer event we celebrate after a proper dress up later in the evening or for grabbing a beer and a meatball sub after a hot afternoon working in the yard (and the obligatory quick shower and change of clothes, of course!) But this latest visit had me jumping out of my booth to leave this review! P.S. The owners are first-generation Americans who's children (JF graduates) are celebrated on the wall as you enter. Mike's mom comes for a visit annually. read more

La Villa - LA VILLA INTRODUCES ALTERNATIVE MENUS OPTIONS FOR VEGAN, KETO, VEGETARIAN, ETC. - Italian Near Me - Lynchburg, Virginia

I placed an order through DoorDash for a pizza and in the special request section of the order I requested to change the sauce to Alfredo Sauce because we have Tomato allergies. I have done this before and they always accommodated us. To be sure they see the special request I always call the restaurant to verify. The person who took this said she needed to ask the owner about it. Soon, a lady identifying herself as the owners wife came on the phone and very curtly stated that they could not accommodate me because it cost more. I told her I was more than willing to pay an up charge. She said I would have to do so on the DoorDash App and I told her there was no option to adjust my order on the App and that's why I called the restaurant. Ultimately, the owners wife was extremely rude and unaccommodating. That's the locally owned restaurant my family chose to support tonight and they were a complete disappointment. Instead Dominos got my business and it was delicious. read more

Amazing customer service and the owner Mike is an absolute sweetheart and does a lot for our community

I've been eating pizza from La Villa since it first opened, and it was always a solid option for pizza in the Burg (especially the toppings - I don't know anywhere else in Lynchburg with the option of eggplant!) Unfortunately, apart from the pizza and calzones, the food prices just don't match the quality. On my most recent visit a few weeks ago, I ordered the Eggplant Parmesan. It was tasty and the portion size was good, but it was incredibly oily. Something about it just didn't seem homemade. However, the garlic bread that comes for the table is fantastic; I could easily eat the entire basket. The service at La Villa is always friendly and warm, but I just wish I could say the same for the quality of the entrees. If you do end up going, I recommend ordering a pizza or calzone, as I've had much better experiences with those. read more

This might be the best pizza in Lynchburg. The orders are done quickly and the prices are reasonable. I really like the stuffed pizza with three toppings. It's like a calzone, but better. I usually go for sausage, pepperoni, and meatballs. The toppings and cheese ratio is usually good. They also add sauces on the side. Despite all the meat and cheese, it's not super soggy. The outside is crispy. I recommend. read more

La Villa - DInner Stuffed Pizza Specialty - Italian Near Me - Lynchburg, Virginia

Today I went for lunch at La Villa Restaurant for the first time, I did not like the food, I ordered a lasagna and the pasta felt a bit hard and instant, the red sauce was not very good, the bread was so-so, I was disappointed with the food . read more

I never leave a bad review but feel like I have to say something this time. I ordered the chicken Vesuvius. The chicken was different than past orders and not as good. I asked for a substitution of linguini for penne - didn't happen. Also asked for a side of extra sauce - didn't happen. There was only enough sauce for about 1/2 of the pasta and chicken. This was the third time that I've ordered this dish and was served almost dry pasta. Won't try again! read more

Excellent traditional Italian dishes and very friendly service. The atmosphere is quite casual. The owner (I believe his name is Michael) is often times walking around greeting diners with his genuine smile and enthusiastic Italian personality, that you can't help but to feel like family. I have not had a disappointing dish at La Villa. Everything has been superb, and I appreciate that you can make special requests for your entree. Their Mussels are excellent and a bargain! I am also fond of their Chicken Piccata and the rosey sauce that is available as an option with several dishes. The owners are very involved in the community, donating food staples for those that make a request (no questions asked). It's quite amazing how much of an impact they have had on those in need, especially during the pandemic. The owner makes one want to be a better human. read more

Ordered sausage and peppers with ziti. The sausage and peppers were almost nonexistent in the dish. The sausage was thinner than a quarter, no exaggeration, and the peppers were so tiny you couldn't find them. The sauce was thin, watery, and tasteless. Totally cheap on the ingredients and totally tasteless and for a $19 dish, I expect more. Also, the salad was lousy and the meal came out in about two minutes when I just started eating my salad. So you get rushed and know that things are not made fresh to order. Don't waste your money if you're looking for good Italian cuisine. read more

Great food and service, the owner walks around and makes everyone feel super important. It's an amazing place to eat the staff is very friendly. As gluten free people it is our favorite spot in Lynchburg having nearly a substitute for everything. The outside are is nice to sit at in the summer also. read more

The first few times 2019-2020 my family and I sat down and ate at La Villa Italian restaurant @ Lynchburg, VA the food and service were very good. After CoVid the quality of food and service has failed badly. Within the last year of 2022 we have ordered curbside service several times. The food was good, the service was terrible. For the last 4 times the staff got the order completely wrong and gave us the wrong food on our order. Twice we returned and got our order fixed. The other two times we just sucked up the mistake and decided we would just not eat there as often. So it had been about 7 months since we order there so I figured give it a try. one to go order of the Lobster Ravioli. We got home and my wife took one bite and said that lobster is sour or spoiled she tried a different bite and it was the same. There is no mistaking spoiled Lobster or shrimp. Its not fishy.!!!! its sour and has a distinct smell all its own. The food was not edible. We decided to call the restaurant and let the manager know and we were treated very rudely and disrespectfully. We disagreed with the staff person who said Lobster is always fishy its seafood she said. After a few minutes we gave up and decided we will find somewhere else to spend our money. It's just not worth the risk of getting a food borne illness or the aggravation of the employee with an attitude. read more

A close friend and I have been going to La Villa for lunch at least once a week for years! No problems at all! In the last two weeks, we've been twice and the two new members of the waitstaff have been rude and judgmental. We requested a certain table and with a humph and a hateful look, the waitress huffed away! She proceeded to tell us what she thought of us in front of other customers! When the owner came out, the rude comments didn't stop! At any other restaurant, these employees would have been fired for acting that way to a customer! In the past, we have always been treated with respect; however, recently we have been very uncomfortable with the treatment from the waitstaff. It was a miserable experience! One that I will not repeat! I won't be going back anytime soon! read more

I remember when LaVilla first opened. I was at first hesitant to eat there because of a bad experience at the previous restaurant. When I decided to finally give it a try I was in for a surprise the food was extraordinary and for the first few years it stayed that way. I first saw a decline in the quality and taste of the food in 2008. Over the last few years I have eaten there less and less frequently and remember how great the food used to be. It makes me sad to see how far this once great restaurant has fallen. I am sad to say that I have given up on the restaurant and will probably never eat there again. What happened to you you used to be my favorite restaurant. read more

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Mangia MangiaDelicious food and wonderful service, Leah is our favorite server, she's the sweetest! read more

La Villa - Pizza! - Italian Near Me - Lynchburg, Virginia

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Italian Call it 3.5/3.8 stars This is one of the better Italian places in the area both with decent food and decent prices. La villa da toto is owned by an Italian guy who walks around the dining room fairly often which to me is nice to see when an owner takes some pride in his place. The menu is fairly extensive; you ought to be able to find something that you can eat or try on there. Beyond the Italian favorites, there are a lot of American dishes on there and considering the area, I can understand that. Skipping the american stuff as I normally do, the Italian offerings are fairly standard fair - a little from each corner of Italy covering all styles and sauce types (but more southern than northern I would say). Food is always fresh and tasty, pasta comes out al dente as it should. Bread is nothing to get excited over- typically pizza dough with some marinara to dip in. The sauce is good but not spectacular- it is very good for this area however. Entrees usually come with salad and you will have a hard time finishing everything (if you have a normal appetite). Prices are very good for the portion size. Dessert is standard however, the cannolis are just as good as what you get in NY with real cannoli cream. Excellent There is beer & wine by the glass and nothing earth shattering there- you can get a decent glass of chianti at a good cost. Servers run from very good to young and inexperienced - but they are all very friendly and nice so have a little patience if you get one of the younger ones. All in all a good place to get a solid Italian meal. Parking lot available read more

Eaten there a few times, never been impressed. Management and staff always rude. If you're looking for good Italian: Isabella's is the much much better option. read more

Remember when you were a kid, and going out for Italian meant good pizza, pasta with red sauce, and really good garlic bread? Yeah. When it comes to Italian restaurants, I really haven't grown up much. Sure, I love a place that sells 'upscale' Italian, but in truth? When I'm hungry for pasta, I want it swimming in delectable red sauce and I want a bunch of garlicky, hot bread to mop up what doesn't make it into my mouth with the pasta. La Villa is my Lynchburg go-to for this sort of meal. Their pizza (and I don't even much dig pizza) is scrumptious, and their eggplant parm is to die for. The garlicky, parmesan-dusted bread sticks come out hot and fresh, and they're not stingy with the portions. Service is fast, efficient, and so friendly you'd think you're family. The decor is classic 'pizza and spaghetti' Italian and totally comfy.I love, love, love coming in for a meal. I'd do it more often, in fact, if it was better for my waistline. read more

This is absolutely the best Italian restaurant in the Lynchburg area hands down. The owner is a great guy. I talk to him every time I eat dinner there. read more

We decided to eat here on Sunday (Oct 28) around 4pm. There wasnt many other people in the restaurant which should've been a sign but we decided to eat anyway. We both ordered house salads which were premade...no big deal. When she brought those out we ordered our entrees. We both ordered the Italian sampler (alfredo, lasagna and chicken parm) which arrived before we even finished the salads. I'm sorry but even if it was the kitchens only order it shouldn't have arrived that quickly unless of course it was just heated in the microwave which from the flavor and how mushy the pasta was I'm guessing that was what happened. Neither of us noticed any alfredo sauce on our noodles but instead they were oily and buttery...and just gross. My husband left half his meal on his plate, had a napkin over it but yet the waitress asked if he wanted a box. Really? The breadsticks were decent and most likely the only thing that had seen their oven in awhile. We wont be returning because we can heat up pasta in the microwave at home for much less than the meal here cost us. read more

One of the best Italian restaurants around. Mike and his staff really know how to serve well. Does your restaurant need customer service training? Ask Mike! The pizza is always delicious, and my wife loves their rosey cream sauce. Keep up the good work read more

5 star excellence in food staff price .If you want a good pizza that's the place to go

Never disappoints, whether it is the stuffed pizza or the family chicken Parmesan for a crowd, the food is delicious, service excellent and the hospitality from Mike is the icing on the cake. Thanks for all that you are doing for our community during the pandemic. It's the little things that keep us sane and remind us of who we are as a community. read more

Outstanding: delicious, melt in your mouth calamari; perfectly cooked pizza; super tasty egg-parm sub; quick and professional service; very attentive to the needs of children. I can't wait to eat there again! read more

This is some of the best Italian food in Va! And the owner and staff are great community citizens with how they support the needy and law enforcement. Great job guys! read more