villa tronco italian restaurant

what a surprise. i grew up in a highly italian populated area of pittsburgh and have spent my life eating and cooking only authentic italian food. yesterday i graduated basic combat training and even though the dinning facility on base does do its job of filling, it does no means satisfy. i was starving for a taste of home but the food around me was obviously more southern rooted. honestly i walked into the restuarunt expecting it to be a "mock italian" and close enough to what i wanted. boy was i wrong, everything was excellent and you could tell the product was fresh and genuine italian. theservicewas so awesome and so polite. we arrived 30 minutes before they opened not realizing that they closed for lunch but the hostess seated us anyway and brought us bread and drinks until the kitchen opened. i wish i could put this restaurant in my pocket and take it home with me. only italian cooking i have ever tasted that come close to mine and my family's. we will make it a point to visit again if we are ever in the area again.

had meatball sub and salad for lunch.servicewas good. salad good. meatballs tasteless . if this is the best columbia has we are in trouble.

went on friday night and had a great time. started with the special ricotta fritters and pumpkin sauce. entrees were the special scallops and pasta and my wife had the cheese manicotti. we had the tiramisu. everything was great and theservicewas spot on. great place. cant wait to go back next time we are in columbia.

i walked out totally and completely satisfied. the restaurant has a pretty cool history too - you can read all about it on their website. the food is authentic italian, probably due to the south philadelphia italian heritage. the restaurant is warm and inviting, and homey without being hokey. ourservicewas exceptional, and our food was outstanding. if columbia didn't have so many other fabulous restaurants, i might be tempted to go to villa tronco for every special occasion i have from now until the end of time.

im an inspiring chef, i would say the food was very good. appetizer baked motzerella was amazing.servicewas also steller. i had lagsagna, pasta and cheese ravioli. all was great. my girl had scallops and shrimp alfredo, she really enjoyed it. atmosphere was if,i had to describe it. ma and pop owned. but still fancy. only down fall was two people and a kid cost 90 bucks after tip. but definatly great choice for a date. respectful restaraunt. thanks