What a delight it is to finally have an upscale Italian restaurant right here in our St. Augustine golf course community.  Villagio, the new eatery in the Renaissance Resort Hotel in the heart of WGV opened on 11/11/11 and offered $11.00 wines and $11.00 entrees for three nights.  The response was so overwhelming that the kitchen had difficulty keeping up with the demand, but for those who were less than enchanted during that opening, it is well worth a return visit.  And if you haven’t dined there yet, you will be pleasantly surprised.  The wines by the glass are generously poured and each evening, in addition to a nice wine list, they feature 3 good wines by the bottle at greatly reduced prices.  The menu is diverse, and there are daily specials – such as a quail dish recently offered. 

If you like to open your meal with bread and oil, the very tasty and fresh Italian bread is presented with four different olive oils: balsamic, sun dried tomato, rosemary and garlic.  Add a little salt for a real taste treat.  The theme of “Farm to Fork Fresh” is clearly true as the veggies have that “just picked” flavor.  For seafood lovers the fresh local catch, generally flounder or grouper, is served on a rich bed of lobster risotto.  For traditional Italian fare you may create your own pasta extravaganza: select the pasta style, choose a sauce and add toppings such as shrimp or chicken.  Other outstanding dishes include veal, lamb, beef and eggplant.  In the event that you haven’t over-indulged, dessert selections are also numerous and very tasty.  Great location, fine wines, outstanding fresh food creations and generous portions combine to make Villagio a “must try” special occasion destination.  Plan a visit soon.