Villa Castrioti

My husband and I went there on a Wednesday night for a baby free night. We were overall happy with the experience. The décor is very different from what you would expect by seeing it outside. It reminds me of the old school Mobster joints.
The food was good. I had the Chicken Parmesean and my husband had a Manicotti dish. The Chicken Parm was very tasty and well cooked with crispy chicken and not drowned in gallons of sauce. My husband did not like his as much. He said it was more like a burrito than a Manicotti.
Finally, the reason I am giving it 4 stars is due to the service. At first, the waitress was wonderful and knew the menu. However, once she had delivered our entrees, she did not come back for almost half an hour. During that time, our drinks became empty, etc. I don’t know what happened and she did not apoligize for not coming back. However, I know things happen but there was not many people in the restaurant.
We will go back again because the food was good.

I am really surprised to see low ratings for Villa C. We have been monthly regulars for many years and have yet to have less than great food/​service. Nick, Arron, and the third brother whose name escapes me right now, are the best. They know our names, seating pref, favorite dishes, side orders, etc. They are there when you want them to be, not when you don’t. Wife always orders veal piccata — great dish. If you are lucky enough to visit when they have sea scallops, get them! five huge scallops, grilled/​baked in a garlic butter sauce, tender and delicious. Baked pasta is enough for three. House italian dressing is the best I have eaten in my 72 years of living and eating all over the world. Can’t comment on their wine list, but see others enjoying bottles each time we visit.

This is my wife and my secret Italian restaurant. It’s quaint and romantic with 5 star quality food!

This place has fallen off so much in the last year… and it is because of the product they are buying. The veal is awful and the ravioli are frozen. The spinach was very very good. Service has fallen off as well. The glasses had water spots and mine had a strong film of dishwater that was so bad I had to ask for a new glass.
I would recommend Pasta Italia or Frank Grisanti’s before I went back here and that sucks because this used to be my weekly spot… however they do not buy the same product anymore and it shows.

Had an anniversary dinner for my in-​laws and heard that this restaurant was worth the try. Nope! It was a very casual/​unattentive atmosphere and the food wasn’t any better.
We ordered two toasted ravioli appetizers since only three ravioli came with each order. They were over cooked, which made them hard to cut. I ordered the Veal Sorrentino, (sautéed in wine sauce, topped with mozzarella and prosciutto), and the meat had no flavor and was tough. I never tasted a piece of prosciutto, which was supposed to be on top of the veal! My side of sautéed spinach was perhaps the worse I’ve ever eaten. I LOVE SPINACH! My husband got the Lasagna, and he said it wasn’t very good either. He is a lasagna guru! My step-​mother-​in-​law got the Veal Piccata, (sautéed in butter, fresh lemon, parsley and capers) and loved her dish. My father-​in-​law got the Spaghetti with meat and enjoyed his dish as well.
The food was overpriced and in out opinion, not worth trying again. I suggest avoiding the restaurant and going to Pete & Sams!

Villa — Villa — Villa, how long have I been wanting to come by to sample your offerings. Well, finally last week, it happened. Alas, the experience fell short of my expectations.
I’ve seen some comments re: the old décor, I get it and agree, a little dated. Strange also, the staff seemed that way somewhat. (Was I in Pete and Sams, just in another location??) No, as the food was not close to the level and P&S. A little pricey too, based on what you get.
The 4 of us each ordered different items: Lasagna, spaghetti & meatballs, 2 different veal dishes. When we ordered, our waiter, Tim, mentioned an item ordered came with a side, what would you like. My wife looked… Oh, Tim mentioned, they are noT listed. So he mentioned… spinach, fresh vegetables, etc.
Why these weren’t listed is a mystery. Surely the ‘core’ are available every night, at least have those listed. What was even more odd, when my step mother ordered, and was told it comes with a side, he mentioned completely different sides (baked potato was the 1^st item mentioned). Strange 2 completely different side options given to 2 people at the same table.
I had the lasagna. It was OK. Nothing to write home about. Some more sausage and ricotta in it would have been nice.
Oh — and the apps. Skip the toasted ravioli. $ 7, my wife asked how many come on a plate — 3, 3 really, give us 2 plates. They were round, slightly larger than the square version, but 3 for $ 7. And, they were hard to cut, almost have to pry the sections apart during this exercise.
Some Unilocalers mentioned getting the house dressing. We all did, it was very good, Italian based dressing.
Overall, the flavor of the food just didn’t do it for me. It was almost like a Picadilly’s of Italian Restaurants, very little seasoning as an older crowd is their mainstay.
So, for 4 people, only 2 glasses of wine between us, $ 140 bill — I’m pretty sure I won’t be back.

We ate spagetti marinara with meatballs and pizza. I expected authentic italian pasta, but the noodles were soft. We asked to split the spagetti, but they charge $ 5 to split (!). The spagetti was $ 15, so we paid $ 20 for spagetti, but the taste was nothing special and only included 2 meatballs. Also, tea and soda are $ 3. I think it’s too expensive. The pizza was ok, but I felt the taste was average, but the price was high.

Recently moved from the North East where we have an abundance of great Italian food. This location was recommended to me as an excellent place. To make a long story short it was the worse Italian food I have ever had — it was really bad! If I could give 0 stars I would.

Always love eating here! My boyfriend and I eat here several times a month. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming. We always have great service even when they have had big groups, super friendly staff. The bar area is in too. Try sitting there and having a class of wine if you have to wait a few minutes for a table.
They have a great cabernet house wine, I recommend it. They have the best fried zucchini with delicious ranch dressing and the toasted ravioli, always a favorite for us. All their food is delicious, especially the meat ravioli and manicotti. We’ve also tried the filet mignon marsala and it is pretty delicious too! All the food is good, but these are just some of our favorites.

It has been years since I visited this restaurant, and I wanted to take my husband to a locally-​owned restaurant with good atmosphere and good food, which is how I remembered it. As we got out of our car right outside the front door, there was a big pile of vomit on the sidewalk. We mentioned it to the hostess/​waitress, and she said no one would probably take care of it. My husband got spaghetti, and I ordered the Chicken Castrioti with spinach. Our salads were watery. Husband said spaghett sauce tasted like it came from a jar and the meatballs tasted like they were microwaved from frozen. My chicken was okay, but the spinach was inedible. Horrible taste. It was a cold night, and there were three tables with two servers. We waited so long for our check that the other server finally noticed us and went to find ours. When she came, she apologized, saying that she had forgotten about us. When we left, the vomit was still there. So, so disappointed.

Great neighborhood atmosphere with a lot of regulars. My husband is a vegetarian and finds quite a few dishes. My favorite is the gnocchi appetizer. Open later than most places also.

We were in VC last night for our twelve year old twins birthday dinner, which included 6 kids all together and 2 adults. We could not have been treated better — our server was so sweet, accommodating and kept us filled with food and drinks the entire time. Our food was delicious and we had a ball. The attentive service started from the host, to the bartender, to the server… very pleased with our fun night and yummy dinner!

VC has been here for years and can certainly understand why! We moved away, but have recently been frequenting for dinner — excellent service and food.
Love the relaxed music and atmosphere — more classic with Greek columns and busts vs. the typical red, green and white décor with red and white tablecloths and artificial grapes hanging along with Christmas lights. More formal with linens and perfect lighting.
Lunching it today and the white sauce pizza with mushrooms and spinach make you emit sounds of pleasure! Super thin crust –even the edges should be eaten-​very light. The spinach has just the right amount of garlic to compliment the white sauce. I love to add black pepper but they offer the red pepper if you prefer.
The owner is very kind and humble — loves life and the blessings bestowed.

Re-​discovered this place a couple of months ago. Been back twice. One of the best Italian places in Memphis. I absolutely love the Chicken Francase. That mushroom cream sauce would be good on a piece of leather. Eggplant Parmigiana that my wife gets is excellent. Great atmosphere of an old time Italian restaurant.

Very tasty Italian food, with a good selection of wines as well. If I’m undecided, I go with the lasagna, with the fried cheese pieces for an appetizer.
The location is interesting – in the middle of a shopping center with Panera, Kroger, and other stores. The décor inside is a little cheesy, and individual tables are a little closer to one another than I would prefer. The service has been good at times and mediocre at times, I guess it just depends who your server is or how crowded the restaurant is.
Overall, good food and definitely worth trying.

I been looking for a great family owned Italian restaurant since I moved from German Village in downtown Columbus, Ohio.
This is a genuine Italian restaurant not a chain. Chandeliers and statues with white tablecloths and napkins. Friendly service by Aron… and I am sure the rest of the staff is equally gracious.
I did not know they were only open from 11 – 2 pm and 5 on. I stopped by after going to physical therapy combined with dry needling today and wasn’t going to cook for myself tonight as my husband is in Chicago.
I ordered the scrumptious eggplant with side of spinach instead of spaghetti (gotta watch those carbs) and a small salad. Both were excellent. Portions were large and I was hungry but no appetizer or dessert.
Will have to try it again next week when picking up pants at the Webb’s Tailor Shop next door. I can hem expensive pants but not when my husband buys cuffed too long and wears out the bottom edge… grrr!
They do a lot of large parties and are busy on the weekends so expect at least a half hour wait. Come in for early early dinner and they have no wait.

As those of you that know me, I call them as I see them. I have been coming to this place since it opened. I had several special events here but in the last few years I just have not come here very often.
My friend and his wife wanted my wife and I to join them for dinner here last week. This was one of the best one of the best overall experiences to date. The minestrone soup was excellent as was the eggplant. My wife’s salad was very fresh and her veal piccata was very good.
Service was over the top and the owner dropped by to make sure we were happy.
A big plus is the wine list. Very nice selection and at reasonable prices.

We visited Villa Castrioti Friday night (11÷22÷13). Greeted right away with a smile and a welcome. Wasn’t busy when we got there but by the time we finished the place was fairly full at about 6:30−7. Our server was outstanding with a great knowledge of the menu and was nice enough to recommend BBQ places for us to try the next day.
Our food came out quick and was excellent. I highly recommend the chicken marsalla over linguini (ask to hold the alfredo sauce for a lighter dish) and the lasagna was meaty and tasty.
If we are ever back in the Memphis area, we will be sure to visit this place again.

I have used this place to have parties on a Saturday afternoon (since they are closed) and they are always VERY accommodating. The food/​menu was what i chose and their service and staff are awesome.
It is family owned and they work hard — as you see from the hours the work split shifts and really care about the customer.
I would high recommend this restaurant for the family and a catered event.

«Black Friday» evening, first visit. Honestly — I really wanted to like the place. We were trying it for the first time and brought in extended family to join us. I don’t really care if I come back.
Greeting us upon entry was an aroma… like bleach and some type of sterile cleanser from a hospital. Granted, «clean and sterile» is better than many other smells. My four year old held his nose for the first few minutes.
Our server was fine. She was nice, but lacked the air of professionalism or, «yes I trained for X amount of time to do this». It’s one of those things that is hard to describe and doesn’t usually come up when reflecting on an experience yet is a key element that distinguishes a good/​fine/​alright experience from one that makes you love a place.
Lastly, and arguably most important, the food was… just…so so. I envisioned that Robert guy from «Restaurant Impossible» on the Food Network coming in and brow beating on the owner for preparing so much with canned ingredients. At the same moment, I envisioned a husband and wife who’ve probably been running this place for so long they don’t know how to change it. That’s not a personal slam — just a vision that probably keeps me from clicking 2 stars.
Chris L.