VillanovaLove X.
Yelp
Amma's birthday. Did my Yelp research and came across this spot on an IG-friendly stretch of Smith Street. (otherwise known as "Smith Street"). Did a late Saturday lunch to avoid a crowd and service was great. We're a picky, mostly vegetarian group of 6 but had no problem enjoying their options. Simona addressed our "Is it a veg stock?" and "Any pistachios?" questions candidly and dutifully. (for perspective: I eat everything and have no allergies). It was a keto cheat day for me and my sister and I enjoyed the very rich, cheesy, lemony, and sweet limoncello ravioli (borderline dessert profile). Her wife loved the mushroom risotto. Rigatoni was good and perfectly al dente. Burrata and other apps came out quickly and tasted great. Simona had them send out a "custom" plate of mini cannolis for all 6 of us and even sang Happy Birthday - which, in my view, is really stupid and embarrassing but in this instance was undoubtedly a lovely gesture (and there weren't a bunch of peeps around us to weird out and ignore).
Handled my 7yo niece well with her (mostly, *my*) french fries and coloring book.
Tight-knit mgmt & front/back of house. Place lives up to its namesake coastal Italian vibe (I picked it in part to remind my parents of their trip to Capri many years ago). Good date spot. And if you somehow still strike out, she'll at least go home with some decent selfies for her next date whom she'll expect to be way better than you but will ultimately be disappointed by as just more of the same.
*Backyard patio is under renovation as of 5/6/23 so if you want that, check with them. But they have a proper frontyard patio, too.