Villa Italiana Wilmington Opens as an Italian Villa on Market Street

Villa Italiana Wilmington has opened on lower Market Street, bringing a recreated Italian villa to downtown Delaware. The restaurant is the fourth for the Molina family. It is also their first in Delaware and their first attempt at upscale dining.

Kelvin Molina, his wife Janine Hernandez and their partners Johnny and Karen Orejuela opened the venue last month. The Orejuelas own Three Amigos Mexican Grill. The family shared its story with Spotlight Delaware. Menus and updates are on the Villa Italiana Instagram page.

Villa Italiana Wilmington Is Run by a Family

Kelvin has worked in restaurants for almost three decades. He became a chef at 17 when the head chef at his uncle's New Jersey restaurant quit. His uncle handed him an apron and told him it was his job now.

Today Kelvin is the one passing the torch. His 24 year old son, Diego, steers daily operations as general manager. Diego studied hospitality management at Penn State University. On a busy Wednesday shift he was building a website one moment and mixing drinks the next.

He admits he is exhausted but excited. His parents check on him often, because they know the pressure is high. They also know he can handle it. He says high stress situations are what get him going every day.

Villa Italiana Wilmington Recreates an Italian Villa

The decor plays a big part in the welcome. The host stand is built from a 1970s Vespa. Plants, stone fountains and faux balconies decorate the walls. Karen Orejuela painted murals of the Italian countryside.

The family bought several statement pieces on trips to Italy. These include stained glass panes more than 120 years old, saved from a church under renovation. The bar is lined with small keepsakes, including a bust of Michelangelo's David.

This attention to detail is one reason the opening took over two years. A longer than expected permitting process also played a part. The family wanted to feel fully prepared before opening to the public.

The Menu at Villa Italiana Wilmington Is Italian American

The restaurant serves pasta, pizza, salads, soups and seafood. Head chef Aguinaldo Santos has Italian and Brazilian roots. He describes the food as more Italian American than traditional Italian.

The menu features prosciutto wrapped shrimp, lobster ravioli, fried artichokes and margherita pizza. Kelvin recommends the Penne Vodka Villa. It comes with prosciutto, Roma tomatoes and a creamy vodka sauce. He says the key is the right balance of cream and red sauce.

This is a clear step up for a family known for pizza spots. The Molinas also run three Italian restaurant Wilmington style venues across the border in Pennsylvania. They are Papa Mark's Pizza & Grill in Honey Brook, Venice Pizza & Pasta in Coatesville and Napoli's Pizza & Subs in Parkesburg.

Why Villa Italiana Wilmington Chose Market Street

The family expanded into Wilmington because of the city's growth. They chose lower Market Street to sit near apartment complexes. They also expected less competition than further up the street.

Kelvin likes small cities and the warmth of the people in Italy and Spain. He says downtown Wilmington feels welcoming. The family hopes to match that warmth with friendly service and a beautiful room.

Diego says the goal is a full experience. It covers what guests see, feel and eat, and how the staff treat them. In his view, Italian hospitality is an experience.

Visiting Villa Italiana Wilmington

Lunch entrees average $19, ranging from $17 to $22. Dinner entrees average $27, ranging from $19 to $36. The venue offers a kids menu, alcohol, vegetarian options and gluten friendly dishes. It also hosts live music.

The restaurant is closed on Monday. It opens Tuesday at 9 a.m. for lunch until 2 p.m., then from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday run 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday runs 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday runs 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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