Review Archive/March 2010
Updated February 25, 2010


Villa Francesca Restaurant & Pizzeria/Charlotte, NC
The Real Deal

By Jay Whipple/Trend Magazine

I learned about this place from the local news channel that aired a piece in February 2008 during the CIAA College Basketball Tournament here in Charlotte, NC. The news piece included an interview with the Manager of the Villa Francesca Restaurant and Pizzeria who was complaining about not getting any customers from the highly attended college basketball championship.

As a small business manager myself, I could sympathize with his gripes concerning the highly anticipated influx of business that did not materialize. That means he had to cut back on the additional resources – if possible – that must be implemented before such an event. In short, he had to cut his losses and perhaps some of the employees’ promised hours. Been there, done that several times!

That is when I decided to check this place out – after the tournament – and see what was cooking. Get it? This restaurant is housed in what used to be the office for low-income/section eight housing that served the old Earle Village (Now First Ward Place) neighborhood. Some call it the hood! The neighborhood was developed in the 1960’and 1970’s to accommodate folks that had been uprooted from the Old Brooklyn Neighborhood just southeast of there in Second Ward. Today Earle Village/First Ward Place is a much nicer place to live as it has received a $42 million dollar facelift courtesy of HUD (Housing and Urban Development Department of the United States Government), and is known as a mixed-income community.

The building looked one thousand percent better as I pulled up to park. I was, however, shocked that the city installed parking meters in the parking lot. Talking about capitalism! The interior of the restaurant and pizzeria is nicely done and resembles a typical Italian pub that includes multiple wine and beer racks. I ordered the Sicilian Meat Lovers Pizza with a soft drink which totaled $5.62 with tax. It took a few moments to be acknowledged by the staff but they were pretty slammed for lunch and actually very friendly when I placed my take out order. I was quite surprised to learn that the owner of the pizzeria is actually from New York which is well known for the “real deal” pizzas!

My order was completed pronto and I did my usual taste test on the road while stopped at red lights. The pizza’s crust was soft and crunchy just the way I prefer, the meat inside was wonderfully zesty and tangy but not too overwhelming. All in all it was a good experience for me and my taste buds. I just do not like the idea of having to pay to park even if you are ordering a take out. If I was the owner, I would be at the next Charlotte City Council meeting protesting the metered parking.

Villa Francesca Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria is located at 321 N. Caldwell Street, Charlotte, NC, 28202, in the First Ward neighborhood of Uptown.