Restaurant Review: Villa Barolo Ristorante

1373 Easton Rd, Warrington, PA 18976 — (215) 491-9370
Price: $$-$$$

Italian With A Twist

Villa Barolo is a unique Italian restaurant located in a former historical hotel on the corner of Bristol Road and busy route 611 in Warrington, PA. Not only do they serve fine Italian Dishes, but they also have a variety of wild game and fish on the menu. The restaurant is quite large. The dining room seats about 260 guests and there is an ample bar room on the side.

Chef Lo is a graduate of the Hong Kong Culinary Institute where he studied the art of French cuisine. He came to Philadelphia in 1986 to work at the Hershey Philadelphia Hotel. He worked there for 2 ½ years mostly preparing Italian cuisine. Realizing that the market for Italian cuisine was larger than that for Asian cooking, he chose to specialize in Italian cuisine when he opened the Marco Polo restaurant in Elkins Park. After ten years, he sold Marco Polo and opened Villa Barolo in October 2005. To distinguish himself from other Italian restaurants, Chef Lo has added a variety of game meats and fish to his menu. Each week his menu includes 2-3 special items such as kangaroo and fresh fish from all over the world.

The dedicated staff of Villa Barolo has been with Chef Lo for as long as 25 years. They work as a team and have mastered Chef Lo’s recipes. Their skills in the kitchen allow the chef time to come greet guests in the dining room and make sure that their dining experience is “just right”. Villa Barolo is a busy restaurant serving about 200 meals on weekends and 100 on weekdays. There is ample room for elegant parties and meetings.

On our recent visit, my wife and I found a menu that featured Tenderloin of Kangaroo, Muscovy Duck, Barramundi and Pan Seared Scallops in addition to the traditional Italian Pasta and Risotto. Unfortunately, the kangaroo was not available and Ostrich was the substitute. I opted to order the Pan Seared Scallops ($26) and my wife enjoyed the Chicken Parisian ($20). Our servers presented a loaf of fresh warm bread with butter and a dish containing a variety of olives. Throughout our meal, they were attentive and kept our water glasses full. For starters we had the Caesar Salad ($8) and Minestrone Soup ($5). The soup and salad were both very good. The scallops were cooked perfectly and served over a bed of broccoli rabe and a combination of black and white noodles with scallions. The dish looked nice and tasted even better. The Parisian Chicken was served with two delicious breasts covered with a lemon sauce and asparagus. For dessert, we shared coffee and a Crème Brûlée that was done to perfection.

Of course, being an Italian restaurant, the Villa Barolo offers classic pasta and risotto. For example: mushroom risotto with white wine cream sauce ($8), spaghetti bolognese ($16), eggplant parmesan with spaghetti ($16) and Linguini Pescatore with fresh shell fish and white or red garlic sauce ($24). A variety of antipasti are also offered. These include such items as homemade potato gnocchi, broccoli rabe, mushrooms, asparagus and wild boar sausage ($12), pan-seared foie gras with caramelized apple and exotic wild mushrooms ($17), filet mignon carpaccio with lemon, olive oil, capers, Reggiano Parmesana and greens ($12), and crabmeat stuffed mushroom caps ($8) among many others. Before 5 o’clock, $5 appetizers are offered in the bar.

All of the in-house favorites are also available at Chef Lo’s take-out window.

Entrées: $16- $35
Reservations are recommended;
especially on weekends (215) 491-9370