LYNCHBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – For an Italian restaurant owner in Lynchburg, living the American Dream means a little bit more. It’s a dream that was passed down from his father while living in Italy. We’ll tell you the story behind La Villa Italian Restaurant in this week’s Hometown Eats!
“My customers are not just customers. People got to understand… they become my family,” said La Villa owner Michele “Mike” DiGiovanni.
You’ll hear restaurants talk about treating customers like family but the gold standard for that line can be found right here. Welcome to La Villa Italian Restaurant on Timberlake Road in Lynchburg.
“My goal in my life was always about kids. I grew up with six brothers and sisters. My mom comes from 11 kids, so we’re always surrounded by family,” said DiGiovanni.
Family is all owner Michele DiGiovanni knows, and of course how to make plenty of mouth-watering Italian classics.
“Eight years old helping momma make the meatballs and eating most of the meatballs I was making,” joked DiGiovanni.
When Michele turned 16, he decided it was time leave Italy and explore the opportunities in America that his father would talk about from a three-day trip he took to Baltimore after World War II.
“The way he talked about it was kind of like when you explain somebody heaven, just the same. We would ask him to tell the story about when you went to America. He told us for years,” explained DiGiovanni.
Michele got work in a Brooklyn Italian restaurant earning $120 a week, sending $100 back to Italy. Success came when he opened his own restaurant and made enough money to give his father a proper American visit.
“He got out of the airport, and he start to cry. It was so emotional for me because we were living his dream, and he was so proud. He loved America. He would have been a great American man. So, whatever we do over here it is for legacy,” said an emotional DiGiovanni.
Michele moved his legacy in 2003. While still living in Delaware, his cousin suggested opening a restaurant in Lynchburg. A decision he thinks about fondly.
“I think it was one of the best things that we did because we found a great community, and it felt home,” said DiGiovanni.
“He’s a very good man. Very good, very good. Runs a good business,” said regular customer Kenneth.
Still using the techniques he learned from momma.
“It’s the love she put in it. That’s what’s all about cooking, it’s about putting your love to it. We make our own sauce every day, we cook our own pasta every day, we make our own pizza dough, our pizza sauce. 90 percent of the stuff you eat here was made here,” said DiGiovanni.
“Today I’m going to make Shrimp Domenico, Keto pizza. It’s made from cauliflower pizza. One of my favorites, La Villa Delight,” listed DiGiovanni.
“I’ve been to Italy, and I’ve eaten on the Mediterranean and this is a delight,” said regular customer and current Lynchburg City Council member Curt Diemer.
Remember, Michele is all about treating your family like his own, even down to entertaining your kids.
“We have a tablet where they can watch Mickey Mouse and after dinner, we give them an ice cream and it’s on the house,” said DiGiovanni.
“Great service, great family atmosphere. Michele and Becky, who own and operate the restaurant. We’ve made a lot of friends here and see a lot of friends here so we come here as often as we can,” said former Congressman Bob Good.
“It’s very rare to walk into a place where everybody knows your name and Mike knows so many people,” added Diemer.
“I would say that if you’re a family man, this is your restaurant. You’re going to see that we prioritize your kids,” said DiGiovanni.
But he does have one simple request when you come.
“If you can, ask my wife to give me a raise. I’m still underpaid,” joked DiGiovanni.
La Villa Italian Restaurant, a hometown eat where the family is always growing.
La Villa Italian Restaurant is located at 8109 Timberlake Rd, Lynchburg, VA 24502 and is open seven days a week 11am to 9pm.
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