La Viola Italian restaurant: catering, free delivery, private parties

Owner Giancarlo and his wife Josephine are proud to bring you “a home-cooked taste of Italy” in their elegant yet casual and comfortable restaurant. Hors d’oeuvres are passed around while you wait at the beautiful mahogany bar. Antique sepia-tone photos of old Italy decorate the bar room and the main dining room which has two levels, and another dining room has a large sky light. Art deco style wall sconces provide soft lighting and terra cotta walls, live plants, carpeting and comfortable chairs add to the contemporary motif.

The menu is family style, on the light side, and everything is made to order-“fresh home cooking”. A bread basket includes homemade breadsticks made with herbs and sun-dried tomatoes, and homemade dark sweet rolls with nuts and raisins, and is served with garlic oil for dipping. Appetizers and entrées are huge and serve two or more with single portions available. Pasta dishes are a full pound.

Specialties are fresh fish of the day and seasonal market items. Signature dishes include Chicken Scarpariello or homemade ravioli stuffed with ricotta and spinach, veal or eggplant. The fine quality of the simply prepared dishes is consistent with outstanding tastes and presentations. Service is professional, attentive and courteous. All desserts are homemade and wines are reasonably priced with choices from Italy and California.

La Viola has 2 other locations-one in Cedarhurst and one in Boca Raton, Florida.