VILLA NAPOLI RESTAURANT| FOOD REVIEW
Glendale Hotel, 10 Plymouth Road, Penarth. 029 20 708302 / www.glendalehotel.co.uk
A constant in restaurant terms, the Glendale Hotel/Villa Napoli restaurant has had the same owner Tony for the last 20 years, serving authentic Italian food to his customers in their droves. As a family run business it has survived the years by giving a warm welcome and of course building up relationships with customers, one thing you don’t find in chain venues. Have you ever been back to a Frankie & Bennys and they remember what you drink and your favourite dish, I don’t think so!
A proper noisy place; dishes bashing, waiters scurrying around, music playing and a constant chitter chatter and laughter is what you will find here. On this particular Saturday night it was the France vs. Wales 6 Nations game, the bar was full and the restaurant buzzing. The restaurant has just had a refurbishment, from what I could see (as it was very busy) it looks great, new bar, updated seating and the bar area has been opened up. The food as per usual was perfect: calamari, followed by pollo di pollo alla cacciatore (chicken baked in tomato sauce, onions, olives, peppers and mushrooms in red wine), and my dining partner had Fungi Villa Napoli (fresh mushrooms filled with pate, herbs and garlic fried in breadcrumbs), followed by his favourite, never deviated from, Spagetti alla Carbonara. Our friends ordered form the set menu starters, main and a sweet and coffee for only £20.85, bargain. Wine flowed, conversation went on, and we left full and happy and tipsy well after midnight. Perfect evening.
words ANTONIA LEVAY photo DIGIPAM