Happy Holiday Cocktails At Villani and Co. in Wellen Park, Florida

Villani and Co. Steak Seafood Raw Bar in Wellen Park offers quality food, excellent craft cocktails and some of the best bartenders in the area.  What could be just an average evening is maximized by the exuberance and expertise of the staff who are creating one-of-a-kind cocktails at this establishment.  With a moving ladder to reach top shelf items and a desire to delight the palettes an evening at Villani and Co. is just the sparkle the holidays require. 

Making the most of the season requires a trip to Wellen Park because it is just too pretty to dismiss.  The decorations are truly spectacular with their Christmas tree in the middle of everything which towers over the area like a shiny landmark.  The old oak tree is decorated with lighted snowflakes which are perfect when sitting underneath it, listening to live music as Wellen Park often offers. And everywhere you look, seasonal décor is strewn about.  It really sets the stage for holiday magic. 

The night we ventured into Villani and Co. we saddled right up to the bar, expecting to just have a drink while we waited to be called for our table at a neighboring restaurant.  But after one drink, and feeling so well attended to, we decided to spend the evening with our nice bartender, Brian at hand to make it all spectacular. 

Do you know what’s great about a bartender who is on their game?  They can help those of us who are liquor-challenged, or in other words lack any type of sophistication when selecting a nice drink.  For me, watching the care and time put into making Blackberry Mojitos for other people at the bar, put me in the exact mood to ask for one of those myself.  I let Brian know I was wary of the sweetness of the blackberry syrup, so he offered to muddle fresh blackberries for me instead.  My friend was in a top shelf state of mind, so she accepted Brian’s suggestions on an Espresso Martini and different wine pairings to match her food selections.  My husband said the Jack and Coke he ordered was somehow made better than he had ever had before. 

We decided to check out the charcuterie board which was plenty for all three of us.  Various cheeses, meats and pickled offerings tasted too delicious.  We also sampled the Baked Burrata which was so warm, creamy, and rich that we ate every bite of that dish.  The Fried Grouper Bites were amazingly fresh and crispy with a hint of some kind of seasoning that I couldn’t place but immediately fell in love with.  Even the coffee we ordered to go was made with a fancy AeroPress machine.  It was so hot and full of flavor and very welcome as we braved the cold and headed out for our Uber.

Excellent food, amazing craft drinks, bartenders named Brian…you really must put Villani and Co. on your “must-do over the holidays” list.

19790 Wellen Park Boulevard Suite 101, Venice, FL, 
941-584-4434
website

Photos courtesy of Villani and Co. Facebook page.