The Italian Villa is a mainstay of Hornell, offering the area's most authentic Italian entrees for almost 60 years.
Il Nostro Famiglia
Our Family
The Argentieri family opened the doors of The Italian Villa in 1974, providing the Hornell area with authentic, Old World Italian cuisine. The recipes originated with in Furci, Italy, brought over by grandparents Nick and Emma, who owned and operated the Blue Angel Restaurant on the Old Arkport Road from 1958 until 1973 before opening The Italian Villa.
It was at the Blue Angel that Grandma Argentieri introduced homemade spaghetti -- or "Homemades” -- to the area. Along with her homemade sauce, meatballs, lasagna and other Italian specialties, her homemade pizza was widely-renowned as the "absolute best" in the area. The Blue Angel began a family affair, with children and grandchildren involved in all aspects of the daily operation of the restaurant while learning about their rich Italian heritage.
Beginning in 1974, the “Villa” continued the tradition that the fantastic Italian tradition that the Hornell area so enjoyed. In 1980, Rosemary Argentieri and son Richard Nicholas became co-owners and expanded the menu to allow for catering to an ever-growing clientele. Catering and off-premises parties were in demand, and soon it became obvious that the Villa needed to relocate. In May 2000, the operation moved from its humble beginnings to its current location in the historic former Big Elms building. Here, the tradition continues, with the same great food and atmosphere, a larger dining room and the ability to offer weddings, parties, and meetings in an upstairs banquet room.
Today, almost 50 years later, the Third Generation of the Argentieri family continues to serve the finest, truly authentic homemade Italian and American cuisine introducedntrodcued by their grandparents. And, continuing in the family tradition, the fourth-generation is now enjoying working at the Villa, “The Home of Homemade!"
