The Italian Village — Restaurant in Town of Cheektowaga

So this is going to be a bit long . This is my first review of a restaurant and as I text the words I hesitate as this was once me and my families favorite place to eat … unfortunately it all took a turn this summer . First in June two orders missing items and first I said nothing . Second time just asked for missing item. Then a few great orders. We are simple and order the same few dinners soups and desserts every time .we love the loaf of bread with oil too always hot and delish. . So the pick up order August 8th we ordered for one of the dinners chicken Alfredo with broccoli. Now we know it’s always consistent creamy and delish with full broccoli crowns and lots of sauce . This time dry no sauce and I was surprised. I very nicely called and left a voice mail and just said I was surprised that the Alfredo didn’t have any sauce . That’s all I said and I asked if maybe I made a mistake with order? I’m not a person that likes confrontation at all. I also know this restaurant is very how do you say it ? You know who they like and who they don’t . and I’m not part of the click and no they don’t know me by name but me and my family order to go at least once a month probably more as do several friends, clients and family members . No one has ever recognizes us at all and I’m ok with that we don’t need nor expect to be one of the regular patrons that they always speak so friendly too. And know most by first name basis . While that was one of the things I liked about them as it had a warm frenzy atmosphere to the people they considered regulars . We were not that list but again I’m happy to just get consistent great food . But since early this summer it’s just been one thing after another and it all went down and today was the last try . . A voice mail from John saying he would like to refund me or remake the Alfredo dinner and he thinks they might have made the wrong dinner last time and I graciously accepted. So we were ordering dinner today and returned his call and asked for him as he told me to. He said he would like to make the Alfredo dinner no charge and I would just pay for the other dinner and dessert. They told me 35-40 min . I arrive 1 hr later pay the bill and wait .. and wait .. 15 min later I ask if I have time for a glass of wine or will it be done soon? Man at bar says oh yes you have time . I buy a glass of red . Drink the glass now we are 1.45 hrs since I called and the order finally came . I Open the food and surprise the pictures below is what it looked like . No chicken and blended broccoli crowns and 4 stems . A mushy bowls of thick I don’t know what ? Never looked like this before and now I just felt like it was an intentional insults because of my original call a few weeks ago. Also a burn loaf of bread which never happens ? And I just felt it while I sat there and when I walked out that something was off , like they were talking about me while I sat waiting and then the two girls in front were laughing and again I felt it. So as nice as I could be I call and let them know there is no chicken and broccoli crowns just 4 half stems. I’d be happy to send video and picture to show them and she didn’t respond to that at all. I wasn’t even asking for new dinner as this point I knew what the outcome would be I just wanted to Let them know what they already presumably knew . Then she just put me on hold for a long while then came back and said : the girls said the chicken is there it’s just mixed in? Huh ? I looked and looked and said no I’m sorry there is no chicken nor broccoli. Again on hold for 5 more min and then she says I’ll let John know and that was the end of the call? What I did wrong I’ll never know ? And with that me and my friends, family and business clients will bid farewell to the once delish always perfect family town favorite. I do hope other will have better experiences in the future as they were once a dinner we all looked forward to! Hope they get back to that again for customers to come !! Thank you for the last at least 15 yrs...

(In response to John Balconi, owner, who replied to this review: I look forward to our next visit to your restaurant!)

My family and I were recently at The Italian Village for dinner. It was our first time!

Pros.

Very helpful and friendly hostess and waiter. The food was delicious; all 3 of us loved what we ordered. The dining area and restrooms were clean.

Cons.

When we were interested in the daily special, the waiter told us that someone had forgotten to remove the specials menu from the normal menu; that there were no specials today. That's an easy one; someone has to simply remember to remove the specials menu before the dinner hour. For what it's worth, I've never been to a restaurant and had the wait staff say that oops, someone forgot to take out the specials menu, and there are no specials. 2 of the 3 people in my party actually wanted 2 of the specials listed on the menu, so it was bit of a disappointment.

I asked our waiter to inquire if they had artichoke hearts in the kitchen, because if they did, I was going to ask that they charge me extra for some to throw on a pasta dish I wanted to order. The waiter politely obliged, and came back to me and said there were no artichokes in the kitchen. Some may read this and wonder, "well, what a petty thing to complain about!", to which I would respond, I've never been to an Italian restaurant, either in Italy or in the Buffalo area, that didn't have artichoke hearts! None! My great-grandparents were from Calabria, and they often consumed artichokes (or just the artichoke hearts) in their Calabrian cooking I enjoyed as a kid. When I saw all the typical "red sauce" options on the menu, that sends up the signal to my family that there's likely to be lots of central and southern Italian fare on the menu. Alas; no artichoke hearts. I didn't think to ask if they were out of them that day. If the owner(s) is/are reading this, and if you normally don't have artichoke hearts, please include them. They're so delicious!

I ordered chicken marsala. The menu describes it as "Cutlets dusted in flour, sauteed with fresh mushrooms and served in a marsala wine sauce." When it came out, the sauce was dark orange bordering on red. Having never seen a marsala sauce that was that color, I asked our friendly waiter if there were tomatoes in the marsala; he checked with the kitchen, and indeed, there were tomatoes in the marsala. I've never had a marsala pasta dish with tomatoes in the marsala, and upon speaking with an Italian friend of mine, he'd never heard of that, either. When I did a quick Google search for marsala recipes, I didn't find a top hit with tomatoes in the recipe. So what, you may say; tomatoes in the marsala sauce might taste good! I would say, "I don't doubt it!". The problem for me is that I have GERD, and I get my worst reactions from tomatoes. So while most people might not care about tomatoes in marsala, I do. The waiter told me that they could make the marsala without the tomatoes, and he eventually came out with the non-tomato-infused marsala dish. It was the BEST chicken marsala I've ever had (and when they say "fresh" mushrooms, boy, they're not kidding; they were fabulous!)! So in this situation, I would suggest the following: clarify on the menu that this dish can be made with tomatoes or without, because for some of us, it does make a big difference. So while it was indeed delicious, it took yet more time to be prepared, which resulted in my starting to eat my entree while my family members were finishing theirs. Meh.

Don't let the 3 paragraph "cons" dissuade you from going to this restaurant. The first 3 "pros" didn't need much explanation, as each of the 3 speaks for themselves. I felt it necessary to elaborate on the cons in order to give a more detailed explanation of what I think needs improving. The owner(s) may disagree with my take on the importance of artichoke hearts, but issues 1 and 2 can and should be easily rectified, and would have helped to enhance our dining...

An Unforgettable Dining Experience at Italian Village

From the moment my fiancé and I stepped into the Italian Village, we were enveloped in a warm and welcoming atmosphere that promised an unforgettable dining experience. It’s not every day that you come across a place that not only serves exquisite food but also captivates you with its charm and hospitality.

Our server, an embodiment of sweetness and attentiveness, ensured our evening was nothing short of perfect. Adding to the personal touch was the General Manager, Johnny, who graciously spent time with us, sharing stories and ensuring our comfort. This level of personalized attention is a rare find.

Now, let’s talk about the food - a true highlight of our experience. The lasagna, a dish my fiancé opted for, was a masterpiece of flavors. Each layer was a testament to the chef’s skill, blending creamy richness with a depth of flavor that tantalized our taste buds. It was, without exaggeration, one of the best Italian dishes we’ve ever had the pleasure of savoring.

Equally impressive were the stuffed peppers. Bursting with a mix of spices and textures, they were a delight in every bite. It’s clear that the kitchen uses only the freshest ingredients, prepared with both skill and passion.

The staff also enlightened us with stories about the restaurant’s history, allowing us to connect with the food on a deeper level. It’s evident that they take immense pride in their heritage and strive to deliver an experience that’s not just about dining, but about sharing their passion for Italian cuisine.

In summary, Italian Village isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a destination. Whether it’s the mouth-watering cuisine, the heartwarming service, or the enchanting ambiance, this place has it all. It’s a must-visit for anyone looking to indulge in an authentic Italian culinary journey. We can’t wait to return and relive this...