Pasta Villa - Rochester

The ambiance is fantastic, and the meatballs are delicious!

Without a doubt, this was the best dinner experience I've had in years, and I can't wait to return! I went out to celebrate two birthdays with my wife and her family. Franky G welcomed us warmly and made us feel right at home. The combination of fantastic hospitality, a delightful atmosphere, and exceptional food created an unforgettable evening. Franky really connected with our table, which added to the memorable night. This is definitely an experience we will cherish! I highly recommend this restaurant!

I was in town late for a work trip and needed a quick dinner nearby. Luckily, I found a fantastic restaurant that was conveniently located close to my hotel. The staff were outstanding and extremely accommodating. They even allowed me to order a lunch-sized portion of pasta despite it being dinner service since I couldn't take leftovers for the next day. The portion size was quite generous, and although I couldn't finish it, I really enjoyed the dish. As a lovely gesture, my waitress kindly sent me back to my hotel with a complimentary cannoli! I highly recommend this place to anyone!

We eventually got seated, and I went to hang up my coat. As others have mentioned, the restaurant could use a refresh, but it has a cozy, vibrant atmosphere. We arrived before 5 PM, and it started to get crowded about 10 minutes later. We ordered a bottle of wine, but interestingly, I didn’t notice any Italian options on the menu. We also tried the fried calamari, which was delicious and perfectly cooked, served with cocktail sauce and a tangy red sauce. They served us some bread and butter, which was enjoyable as well. For our main course, we both ordered the Chicken Tiffany. It’s different from Chicken French, as it comes smothered in sauce. We paired it with angel hair pasta, but when the dish arrived, I was taken aback by how it looked—essentially a plate completely covered in cream sauce, making the other ingredients hard to see. A little more finesse in plating could make it look less messy. That said, it was still quite tasty, and I appreciated the artichokes, though I wished there had been more of them. We both ended up taking leftovers home. Honestly, if you leave this place hungry, I don’t know what to say—the portions are quite generous. For dessert, my friend ordered an espresso, while I enjoyed a snifter of Fragelluco. The service was pleasant and efficient, and the staff was friendly. They also have a dedicated parking lot. I would definitely come back to try something else. Overall, I’d rate it about 3.75 out of 5.

Almost two years ago, I came for dinner to celebrate finding the perfect house in the neighborhood. I finally sold my old house, and to celebrate, naturally, we had to go to Guido's Pasta Villa! It was very busy, even at 5:30 on a Wednesday, but we were seated promptly, despite not having a reservation. Their phone message states that they take reservations for parties of 5 or more (we had 3). We started with the amazing calamari scampi...the best calamari in Rochester! My partner had the Cacciuco, a seafood medley in a garlic butter, served over pasta. I had the Veal Tiffany, which was absolutely delicious. And my Mother had the Greens Beans with sausage, always a great choice! We ended the meal with their house-made spumoni ice cream, which was amazing. Always a great experience here, with the most friendly and helpful service! It is a small place, and can get a little noisy when it is busy, but I feel that adds to the charm! Everyone knows everyone there...it's like an Italian American version of Cheers! Definitely my favorite old-school Italian American restaurant in Rochester. I highly recommend it!