Update: The Villa
THE VILLA It may be improper to refer to it as the “new” Villa – it left the old building on University Avenue years ago – but Little Rockers of a certain age will always think of it that way. The Villa is one of the living legends among Little Rock restaurants, and if it doesn’t shine as brightly as it once did, it’s still a pretty good place for Italian food, and comfy too, with a heated outdoor patio. Try the toasted ravioli appetizer. Good soups, including mushroom. Ken’s Pasta, “A dieter’s delight,” is still healthy and filling, just what dieters are looking for (mushrooms, onions, celery, bell pepper, garlic and diced tomatoes, served over cavatapi). The eggplant lasagna was good, if not quite what we expected. There are lots of veal dishes and “distinctive” pizzas, like pizza pescatore (shrimp, crab meat, rosemary, mozzarella and provolone on a bed of sun-dried tomato basil sauce). Italian cream cake is one of three homemade desserts. 12111 W. Markham St. (Rock Creek Square) 219-2244 full bar CC LD Mon.-Sat. $$-$$$
