Thursday, February 14, 2008

Organic pasta place Villa-O finally opens in Dallas’ Travis Walk

By Pegasus News wire

DALLAS — In a dining era where fresh, organic plates are table favorites, and flavorful originality is always in season, Villa-O arrives as Dallas' original, organic pastaria, bringing with it a menu full of innovative twists on Italian classics. The newest concept from Robert Colombo - of Trece and The Club fame - Villa-O takes its cues from Italy's Isle of Capri with fresh, marine influences, transforming the former Samba Room into a casual-cool haven for organic dining. From seasonal organic produce to free-range meats and jet-fresh seafood, Villa-O, opening February 12, is a destination for Italian cuisine that is both creative and classic.

Italian native and seasoned traveler Vincenzo Indelicato provides culinary direction as Concept Chef for Villa-O. Classically trained in the kitchens of Italy, Chef Indelicato has overseen kitchens throughout Europe, the Caribbean, and since 1987, the United States. Currently, he is the Executive Chef at The Club; prior to joining the La Reve restaurant family, Chef Indelicato served as the Concept Chef for Nicola's Ristorante Italiano in Plano. Executive Chef Rex Turner will preside over Villa-O's kitchen, bringing with him a resume that includes turns at Isabella's Italian Restaurant, Nick and Sam's, the Coyote Café at Las Vegas' MGM Grand and Dallas' Café Toulouse.

Starters

Villa-O's starters include traditional antipasti plates, bread, salads and soup. Clams Oreganata includes four cherrystone clams baked with oregano and organic bread crumbs. The Portobello Mushroom Fries are served with a tomato basil aioli. Villa-O's signature Mama Colombo's Italian Salad treats diners to a Colombo family recipe of organic romaine, tomato, red onion, cucumber, artichoke and garlic tossed with fresh lemon juice and olive oil. Italian Peppers are served with sea salt following a searing turn in a hot wok; Crispy Calamari is served with Italian cherry peppers.

Pasta

Villa-O's culinary centerpiece lies in its selection of pasta combinations, handmade daily using organic, imported semolina flour. Long and short pasta shapes, including Rigatoni, Fusilli, Penne, Spaghetti, Angel Hair and Bucatini, are paired with a choice of marinara and organic basil; Puttanesca, Wagyu Beef Bolognese; basil pesto; Alfredo; garlic and herb-infused organic olive oil and vodka tomato sauce. Prior to serving, the pasta is tossed in a hot wok, the intense

heat completing the cooking process and further infusing the sauce flavors into the pasta. Additional accompaniments, organic turkey meatballs, organic grilled chicken, frutti de mare, sausage and peppers, and organic seasonal vegetables may be added to any pasta dish.

Fire-Roasted Neapolitan Pizzas

A wood-burning, custom-designed oven yields a selection of authentic breads and Neapolitan pizzas. The Chef's Favorite combines roasted tomatoes, basil pesto, goat cheese and fresh garlic; the BLT Pizza comes with aged San Daniele prosciutto, organic arugula and tomatoes. Imported Italian sausage, roasted peppers, cipollini onions, tomatoes and garlic top the Sausage Rustica pizza, while the Villa-O combines grilled chicken, smoked mozzarella, sweet onions and spinach confit, dressed in a white sauce.

House Specialties

House specialties include an assortment of surf, turf and pasta entrees. Wood-Fired Roasted Organic Chicken begins with a half chicken marinated in fresh herbs and lemon, roasted slowly and served with Italian green beans and organic mashed sweet potatoes. Steak Pizzaiola combines a 12 oz. organic New York strip, topped with marinara sauce, roasted peppers and Bufala mozzarella, served with Italian fries. The classic Lasagna Bolognese yields a hearty combination of handcrafted pasta, ricotta cheese and rustic Wagyu beef Bolognese sauce.

Sides

Accompanying sides include Fire-Roasted Potatoes and Onions; Handmade Macaroni and Italian Cheese; Organic Broccoli with Parmesan Cheese; Organic Turkey Meatballs and Sautéed Spinach with Garlic and Olive Oil.

Dolci

The dessert menu features a variety of Italian-inspired dolci, utilizing seasonal fruits, chocolate, sweet cheeses and pastries. The Seasonal Organic Crostata, a pastry-cream-filled baked pasta frolla, is topped with the chef's choice of organic fruits and berries. The Vanilla Budin Carmello is a light custard with caramelized sugar and organic berries. Light mascarpone cheesecake, featuring an almond-biscotti crust, topped with Chantilly cream yields Villa-O's Almond Biscotti Cheesecake. A tasteful selection of espressos, liqueurs and dessert wines are also available.

Family Day

Sure to become Dallas' Sunday staple, Villa-O's Family Day allows diners of all ages to enjoy a hearty meal of fine, fresh Italian cuisine that's light on the wallet. Every Sunday, from 3 p.m. - 10 p.m., guests may order from a special three-course menu for $15.95 per person, complete with unlimited helpings. Children ages 15 and under eat for free, including Sunday brunch.

Wine and Spirits

The mahogany, scrolled-shaped bar provides ample room for sipping and socializing, and Villa-O's wine and spirits selection does not disappoint. Specialties include a frozen Original "Cipriani" Bellini made year-round with Italian white peaches and Prosecco. V's House Punch yields a special blend of light and dark rums, fresh fruit juice and a hint of nutmeg. The Martini di Ananas combines Imperia vodka blended with fresh pineapple, then strained and served up with an orange slice. All Villa-O specialty cocktails incorporate premium liquors, freshly-squeezed juices and organic agave nectar.

Villa-O features a discerning selection of 50 Italian wines, champagne and sparkling wines, each available by the bottle, half bottle or the glass. Housed in a mahogany wine rack, the extensive by-the-glass menu is made possible by utilizing the patented "Le Verre de Vin" system, the only wine preservation system capable of effectively preserving an unlimited number of still, sparkling and fortified wines. A custom-designed, lit chalkboard, placed beside the bar, will list various wine and bubbly selections, categorized as reds, whites, sparkling and rose.

In-House Purified and Gassed Water

Keeping in line with an emphasis on the freshest ingredients available, Villa-O will offer in-house purified and gassed water from the NaturaT water purification system. Villa-O is among the first restaurants in Dallas to offer this one-of-a-kind system that utilizes both high-grade carbon filters and patented UV technology to eliminate impurities while retaining healthy, essential minerals. The in-house water not only offers diners a clean, purified option over tap water, but an environmentally friendly one as well by eliminating hard glass and plastic waste associated with bottled water.

Open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. - 12 a.m., and until 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, Villa-O will offer lunch and dinner on a daily basis; open at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday for weekend brunch, served until 3 p.m. (Brunch begins February 16 and lunch begins March 3.) Continuing the casual-cool theme, reservations will not be required, encouraging guests to come as they are.

Source: Villa-O

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Comments

Billusa99 Anonymous

Great press release. No drapes? IJS

6 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )