Villa d’Este

Horrible waiters, no clue about service. We saw a roach on our table that the waiter came and removed with a napkin. The waiters don’t speak proper english. The manager was no where to be found, even when I asked about him.
This place was well rated. The food was good however the terrible service will be the death of this place. When we walked in, we were not greeted properly. The waiter had NO CLUE about the wine list. He didn’t want to deal with our party of 5 after we were unsure of the wine. He left the table without saying anything, we called him back 3 times but he was still no where to be found. Finally 30 minutes later we had a second waiter, who took our order and disappeared. Didn’t want to know how we wanted the meats cooked or if we wanted a second bottle of wine. No one came to fill the water glasses. I’ll never recommend this place to anyone.

A neighborhood landmark and it’s status as such is clearly evident by the patrons – the majority of whom are age 60 and up and out for a very relaxed meal. The food is good, not spectacular, but I believe it is the environment that has kept it in business all these years. The service is very old-​world Italian, which is a good thing, with friendly and attentive wait staff. We noticed that the diners who seemed regulars there were quite content with a cocktail or too to bridge the gap between their arrival and the very long wait for their meal. This was the second time I had dinner there and frankly was a bit disappointed. The first time was a week night and the dining room had three occupied tables. The food was at least two to three notches above the quality the second time. It was a Saturday night and the place was packed. I think the failing may have been the result of a completely overwhelmed kitchen but who’s to say? I likely won’t be back to find out.

I have been going to Villa Deste for 25 years–
We stopped going about a year ago –no reason – just trying other places—
We went there— Saturday nite — -
it was a last minute reservation–
when we arrived –our table was waiting for us –with a reserved sign on the table–
all I can say is —
great food – good fresh bread basket – try the cold seafood appetizer–
great staff –everyone executes their job perfectly –from the busboy to the waiters–
great service – water glass is always full–
good prices – prix fixe dinner is a steal–
good drinks – excellent pour of wine–
Very comfortable and no-​rush setting—
I will be back a lot more –already dreaming about the Veal zinger entrée
If you want a enjoyable night with good Italian food–
GO to Villa Deste — Why go anywhere else !!!

My family and i come here a lot. The food is outrageous! The people that work there are really kind and patient. They dont rush you out, the atmosphere is nice and relaxing. Definitely a restaurant i would recommend eating at.

I wondered how such a well-​reviewed restaurant could have such few reviews! I decided to give it a try for our FIL’s 60^th bday dinner… And boy did I found out why!
As soon as we sat, they gave us bruschetta and warm bread with olive oil and butter. I ordered figs with prosciutto and Gorgonzola as an appetizer — sweet and perfect. MIL’s prix fixe — minestrone soup (said it wasn’t too salty, just the way she likes it) but husband’s Caesar salad was a bit too salty for his liking (he’s watching his sodium intake).
I had the chicken and pear from the summer menu — I loved it! (You see how I love fruits with cheese and other savories?) I loved it so much instead of finishing it I decided to pack half so I could enjoy it again as Monday’s lunch. I can see myself craving it and coming back again for it.
Husband loved his chicken parmigiana — he wished it came with some pasta.
FIL got the spinach linguini with the clams and mussels, also from the summer menu. It came al dente. He seemed to like it but I think he would have preferred something less light and instead a bit meatier (his dinner preference, but that was my fault as I suggested it to him).
MIL absolutely loved her chicken cacciatore. It was her first time eating it and she said, this place really suits my taste buds (translation).
When I had called to make reservations, I had mentioned it was my FIL’s 60^th and that I had seen great reviews on Unilocal.They remembered and with our prix fixe desserts (mousse and tiramisu) came candles and a song over the speakers wishing him a happy birthday. It was great. They ordered coffee and it came out with biscotti. We def enjoyed the biscotti dunked in the coffee. It’s not part of our parents’ culture to drink coffee this way so this too was a first for them, and they absolutely enjoyed it. The joy for me was in seeing that my PIL enjoyed this eating experience immensely.
You know how gratifying it is when after long hard Unilocal research you find what you hope is a gem and you go there and the collective experience of your dining party is super positive? Well that’s how it felt today! (One measure of success is that we didn’t hear any comparisons to Asian cooking nor any complaints of how greasy the food is — and that is a huge deal when Asian parents don’t do that! That means they truly enjoyed it!)
I’m quite sure the wait staff and other patrons had a culture shock in seeing an Asian family walk in, but boy did we too have a culture shock as we sat down at 5:30 and all the tables around us began to fill up throughout the night with one elegant silver-​haired party after another. Silver-​haired folks with good taste that is. It was a wonderful way, in retrospect, to welcome my FIL to the post-​60 club — boy did he feel very young sitting there as others politely clapped after the happy birthday song. He was convinced that an establishment that receives that many elderly patrons has got to be amazing in every way: the food, the service, the ambience, the price point, the temperature, the comfiness of the seats, etc. (I mean, this place even has a third bathroom — men’s, women’s, and handicap accessible! My husband marveled at that.)
I don’t know if I can return though because as my MIL offered to pay, she accidentally put down a 50 instead of a 100 as part of the check and then we left. We were looking at trophies and jewelry in neighboring storefronts when they came out holding the bill and our bills. My MIL apologized profusely saying she meant to put down the 100 not the 50. I feel like I can’t return because we kind of stuck out in that place and also it doesn’t help that our Asian compadres are known to be stingy tippers.
[If there are two stereotypes I abhor and actively try fight as an Asian, they are: driving consciously and competently and controlled, as well as tipping handsomely when deserved (20−40%). I hope they don’t hold this one honest mistake against people who look like us… or more importantly, us!
But this place was so delicious, I might just be tempted to risk being eyed suspiciously just so I can savor some awesome food again.
Other reviewers are correct: the chairs are certainly comfy — worn and patched but comfy. They def didn’t rush us and folks who were there before our long dinner were still there after we left. I love clean bathrooms and often see the restroom as a representative of how clean the restaurant is overall, but this one was just ok. The establishment is dated and it looks so, but clean for sure. (Rust on bathroom stalls next to toilets though — they def give me the heebie-​jeebies.)
By the time we left, everyone except folks at one table were senior citizens, and in the dining room we were in (there are two), ten tables were full of senior citizens, some on dates, some on double dates and others in large groups — and these people know how to eat!
Thanks, Villa d’Este!!!

This is the go to place for a dining experience.
Food top notch
Service top notch
Staff top notch
Owner top notch
This is the place to go to for a no rush great Italian food experience. Bring your friends for a place where you can sit comfortably and actually talk. The staff is engaging and excellent. This is my go to place.

A

My husband and I went here for dinner and it was simple and fabulous. The cold antipasti was amazing. Very fresh and plentiful. Their Alfredo is light and just needed a touch of cheese. Seafood salad was yummy and tender. Also had super flavorful Bronzino and lemon buttery goodness and. their chicken franchese is amazing. Well be back!

Over the years, my wife and I have fallen in love with this restaurant and the excellent people who have created such a warm and friendly environment in which to dine.
The standard menu is great and carries a solid selection of mid to northern Italian dishes. On the way there my wife and I talk about the perfectly balanced chicken or shrimp francese and the chicken villa that awaits us or if they’ll have the potato croquets on the menu that night (these are awesome!). When we have dinner with my father-​in-​law he can not seem to get enough of the chicken parmigiana and maybe a manhattan or two :)
Additionally, they keep the menu fresh by offering a full seasonal menu and daily specials. I generally choose items from this list and have never been disappointed. There are often figs wrapped in bacon with gorgonzola, stuffed artichokes, several different kinds of hearty spicy ragu, homemade tortellacci stuffed with either spinach ricotta or pumpkin cream, polenta served grilled or soft with wild mushrooms, chicken and fish interestingly paired with sauteed or grilled fruit and crispy risotto croquets just to name a few of my favorites. Yum!
The wine menu is mid-​ranged in price but has a couple of standouts. There’s a fabulous pair of wines from one of the nicest vineyards in California: Sequoia Grove. The cabernet has good balance reminiscent of classic French cabs as opposed to those in your face, heavy California cabs that are sadly so prevalent. The Sequoia chardonnay is lightly oaked so that the crispness isn’t lost, which makes me happy enough to have a glass or two on occasion.
Now, the food and wine all great but what really keeps us and everyone I know coming back are the folks who work there. There’s just something magical when you enter an establishment where it is obvious everyone enjoys what they are doing. The staff always seems to go the extra mile to make sure your evening is something special. Whether it’s a hearty hello, a personal accommodation on the menu or a pat on the back when you leave, I bet you will have just as wonderful a time as me and mine.
Hope to see you there!
PS. Make sure you tell the guys that Larry told you to say, Hi!

My job had our holiday party here this evening. It’s not often that I gave out a five star review, but this place is worth the five stars.
For starters we had bread and salad. The salad came with the house dressing. The salad was very fresh and the lettuce was crisp. The house dressing was a perfect mixture of oil, vinegar, and herbs. I didn’t have any of the bread but my co workers all stated the bread was good and taste fresh.
Next we had the pasta, I’m sure what was used to make the sauce but I honestly tell you it was one of the best tomato sauces I have ever had. The waiter stated the sauce it made fresh everyday.
As an entrée I had the Talapia Marechiara, which was a baked Talapia with a red sauce, garlic string beans, and potato croquette. The fish taste fresh and was well seasoned. The red sauce that was poured over the fish was very tasty and light. It wasn’t a heavy sauce which I appreciated. The potato croquette was well seasoned, as well as the garlic string beans. The garlic wasn’t over powering it had just the right amount of garlic.
I skimped dessert but everyone else’s looked good.
This restaurant it definitely worth another visit.

Have been to Villa d Este atleast 5 more times since my last review. It just gets better and better. The atmoshphere, added specials on the menu and the owner and staff make us feel at home always. It is so good that my husband just booked my bday dinner with friends there in December. Can not wait to experience their party menu !!
P. S. Ladies, order a cosmopolitan and ask for orange flavored vodka in it ! YUM !! ;)

This local spot for old school Italian really stands out. The quality is outstanding and the service is great. You’ll feel at home and won’t have a bad meal.

What Scotty said! Really, I agree!

We visited villa d’este last week. Although we have been there many times, the place gets better and better. The owner, William, is a gentleman who always smiles and treats his customers like family. We tried the calamari and baked clams as appetizers. Then, we had chicken with gorgonzola and pear that was just out of this world! The homemade spinach tortellini were delicious!
We did not have room for dessert but I know the desserts are also decadent.
Go to Villa D’este next time you are in NY. You will just be happy that you did…

I’m impressed with the place Scotty went, it wasn’t the same experience for us. The «we» are two couples, who went to Villa d’Este, about month ago. It was a weekday night, and while the restaurant wasn’t busy at all, the service took FOREVER! The average age of the other customers were senior (no big deal, just what I noticed). But the food wasn’t great. It was ok. I would say your typical 1970s Long Island Italian restaurant fare. It was ok. I wouldn’t go back.

It seems like old-​fashioned Italian restaurants are a dying breed. Sure, you’ll find a few gems out there, but unfortunately places like Olive Garden are becoming the norm.
Luckilly, Villa D’este in Floral Park shines with its daily price fixe, offering a nicely sized appetizer, selection of well-​prepared entrees, and diverse desserts for a reasonable price.
My stuffed mushrooms were almost decadent, calamari marinara (prepared fra diavolo) done right, and Italian cheesecake scrumptious.
Service was meticulous: I like a place where my water glass never goes empty, especially when I’m eating spicy food (which is often). Like many Italian restaurants of this breed, the staff is completely male and it makes you feel like you’re dining in another era.
The ambiance is just lovely: cozy, quiet rooms where you can actually hear your conversations. It also seemed like the staff knew every patron and we were the newbies.
While the price fixe is a few more dollars on the weekend, it’s well worth it. Support joints like this before they all disappear; you’ll be glad you did.