Coming Up Roses (Villa Rosa)

Villa Rosa, 41 Scotch Rd, Ewing, NJ
Open 7 days: Su-Th 11AM - 9PM, F-Sa 11AM - 10PM
(609) 882-6841   Website    Google Maps

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(Covid Update Dec 2021 – in business) Villa Rosa used to be one of my favorite Italian restaurants in the area.  Executive Chef Vito Acconi (son of the founder) has been slowly but steadily moving the menu and prices more upscale.   The food is good, maybe even a little more adventurous than it used to be, but it’s no longer the bargain it once was.  I find myself eating there less often than I used to.

Villa Rosa was one of those strip mall restaurants with a pizza parlor in front and a “fine dining” establishment in the back.  A decade or so ago, they took over the storefront next door to provide an even larger restaurant dining room, and provide a greater level of separation between the two establishments.  Family operated since 1984, the staff is friendly and customer oriented.  You can order pizza in the restaurant, a useful option if your kids don’t like more exotic Italian fare.

Executive Chef Vittorio Aconi

Yes, it’s Ewing, but other than Trentini’s, there’s no alternative in Trenton proper which provides informal dining, consistently good food, and BYOB.  So it’s still a great place if you want to eat a good Italian meal, especially if you’re headed out late, live on the west side, and especially if you BYOB.

While the base menu is pretty “standard” for Italian restaurants in this area, the pasta options are more diverse than many local menus, and there are usually specials which can be quite interesting.

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6 thoughts on “Coming Up Roses”

  1. I love Villa Rosa. On the casual side the plain pizza is one of the best I’ve tasted. Sometimes I crave a slice or two of simple, plain, Villa Rosa pizza. I know we all have our own tomato pie and pizza favorites and I don’t want to start a pizza war here, just saying, for plain pizza Villa Rosa is my pick. They used to serve a grilled veggie platter/appetizer that was another of my favorites. I don’t think it’s on the menu everyday anymore, but you can ask for it. If they have it, it’s not to be missed. If they aren’t serving the grilled veggies I’d ask for the sautéed broccoli rabe with cannelloni beans… also delish! On the restaurant side I adore the lasagna with meat sauce. The pasta is thin and fine, the cheese is plentiful and the meat sauce on top is excellent.

  2. Trentini’s, in Trenton, is a hidden treasure. High quality Italian and Spanish food without the hype ( and high prices) associated with some of the old Chambersburg establishments. Stay away from the Hamilton relocated “rip-offs”. “Cashing in on their laurels.” Their laurels are totally withered now! Trentinis’ pizza is as good or better.

  3. try one of the pastas with the “light tomato cream sauce” – it really is lighter than a heavy cream sauce, but still very tasty. The by-the-slice pizza here is better at lunch time (fresher) when it can be quite good.

  4. I’ve only had the pizza at Villa Rosa. For my tastes, it rates mediocre at best. Having lived in the Trenton area my entire life, I’ve had some great pizza/tomato pie, and Vills Rosa can’t compare. Sorry guys, but you’re better off driving into Trenton or Hamilton for a good tomato pie.

    Editor’s Note:  I’ve never had the pizza at Villa Rosa, and the review isn’t recommending it.  There is much better to be had in Trenton with a real tomato pie at either Papa’s or DeLorenzo’s.  However, I continue to believe that the restaurant at Villa Rosa offers very good Italian food at bargain prices.

  5. I have been going here for 6 or 7 years. I have gotten to know the staff on a first name basis. Good food at a reasonable price, BYOB, and very good service – especially if you get Hector for your waiter. In fact at the place where I work we have been having seasonal (spring, summer, winter, fall) lunches where we all take a half day off and come here for Lunch. We have 10 to 14 fellows at each meal – working and retired who drive from as far a New Brunswick.

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