12/28/08

the view was a plus but the service was not

by johnnyDim

i have to admit the view was a big plus for this restaurant but unfortunately, the pros stop there. the food was pretty mediocre for such high prices and the service was anything but personable. my date and i received little to no attention at all. in fact, we couldn't even find our server half of the time. i definitely would not recommend this restaurant.

12/28/08

stay away!

by tbug

disgusting food, terrible service, ridiculous prices! DO NOT take your chances with this restaurant!

• Pros: none!
• Cons: prices, food, service.

12/28/08

WORST DINING EXPERIENCE EVER

by shamusmith

To keep it short: The food was almost inedible because the taste was SO poor. The service was slow, which is something I wouldn't have minded if our server hadn't rushed us out of the restaurant. And the waiter was UNBELIEVABLY rude. I am usually not one to go out of my way to write a negative review on a restaurant but my dining experience at Villa Nova was absolutely appalling.

Basically, Villa Nova's food was horrible and overpriced and the service matched the poor food.

• Pros: n/a
• Cons: food and service

08/10/08

Lovely location and seating, ok food.

by LovelyBruin

Just like many of the reviews suggest, the food is not the reason to check this restaurant out. I am big on quality food when going to restaurants, but from reading the reviews about the romantic setting, I really couldn't find another romantic spot to take my boyfriend for his birthday. We were able to get a booth facing the view out onto the water, which was excellent and really made for the romantic night. I probably wouldn't recommend this restaurant if you can't get a spot by the windows facing the water. We went on a Wednesday night, so we didn't have any problem getting one of the boots directly facing the water. The service was really nice, and our waiter even had a nice Italian accent. Because it was a birthday, they provided a nice little birthday desert w/ candle and all. You can tell this place has a great wine list and the waiters are really helpful in helping you choose one. If looking for a romantic restaurant, this is definitely the place. The food is not HORRIBLE, not even bad, just a bit plain. My boyfriend, not having seen any of the reviews, actually liked it! :)

05/14/08

Great view but horrible food and service

by juleeho10

Villa Nova's location, atmosphere and ocean front view is beautiful. On the other hand, the restaurant's food and service was the worst I've ever had. The food looked just as bad as it tasted. I've had better italian food at an elementary school's cafeteria (absolutely NOT exaggerating). My party consisted of 15 people, each ordering relatively different dishes and they all agreed with me on the taste. Our waiter had a very indifferent attitude towards us the entire time. It was my birthday dinner and he rushed my friends and I out because there was another large party that had reservations for OUR table only an hour and a half after we arrived. He even waited next to our table and stared at us until we paid. I am not one to speak poorly about food or service (since I am a server myself and I usually give other servers the benefit of the doubt) but this restaurant really pushed me over the edge. I would never return to this restaurant and would also never reccomend it to anyone.

• Pros: The view
• Cons: The food and service.

08/30/07

The food was great but the service was insulting

by octraveler

We enjoyed the food but could have done without the waiters surly attitude. Insulted at every turn with no worry of the outcome, our waiter was a real piece of work! As the waiter hobbled out and used our table as a crutch, i thought this restaurant could use some fresh meat to serve their dishes with. Its a shame because the view was beautiful and the food good as well.

• Pros: View, ambience, food
• Cons: Service

04/09/07

Reasonable, Romantic, Great Vibe, Great Fun!

by dakicka

I just moved from the east coast to Newport Beach and I am very impressed with Villa Nova. The whole crew is attentative, friendly, and on top of your order. The one bartender John provided me with a wealth of knowledge about the area and places to go. The management team is very friendly and listen to your needs.

I recommend this place to a few types of people:

a great first date spot for anyone mature in their mid 20's and up.

a great late night spot (9pm-12am) for a drink or two at the bar (always people hanging out here).

a great spot for a few friends to get a table, bottles of wine, and enjoy the water/boat views.

a terrific spot if you like live entertainment (jazz, sax, keyboard, piano, singing)

romantic, hip, upscale spot good for a single good for a date and good for friends.

what i like best is that the food is VERY reasonable relative to the rest of newport beach and the staff is attentative to your needs. also there is a very large selection of wines and entree choices. Plus valet parking is free with a small tip to the valet.

Go out and enjoy this gem!

• Pros: very reasonable price for the great atmosphere and food you get, friendly staff, free valet parking
• Cons: haven't found one in my 3 visits yet!

This Newport Beach landmark serves up top-notch Italian and stunning views of the Pacific.

by Leigh Reason

In Short
Villa Nova has been a fixture on the SoCal dining scene for more than 70 years. First located on the Sunset Strip, where Joe DiMaggio brought Marilyn Monroe on a blind date, it relocated in the '60s to its current oceanfront home--and its views of Newport Pier can't be beat. Enjoy fresh pasta and Italian favorites w hile surrounded by Old World charm--the restaurant walls are painted with lovely scenes of Italian villages.

09/20/06

BEST Late Night Fare/Cocktail Lounge

by acrumley

Imagine oversized booths facing the twinkling lights of newport harbor with waiters dressed in tuxedos, a musician in the cocktail lounge and several affordable entree choices--this is an EXCELLENT choice for a date after a movie or show.

The food is not impressive. Good, but not impressive. Portions are average, seasonings are a bit bland, menu is unoriginal. However, I find it impossible not to love those attentive waiters, the twinkling lights and the oversized booths!

• Pros: Twinkling lights of the harbor, free valet parking
• Cons: Food is average

02/08/06

Classic & Fun Place

by wineguyjc

We always have a great time at Villa Nova. The wine list is fantastic and the service and food are great. The piano bar is the best in town. We enjoy the people watching and taking friends there who have never gone before. We also went there once on a friend's boat, it was cool to pull into the docks and go for dinner.

• Pros: Wine List, Excellent Service, Fun Bar Scene/Music
• Cons: Turning in from PCH