Albanian by birth but raised in Italy, then emigrating to the United States, Ramadani came to Lincoln after operating a pair of Italian restaurants in Grand Island and Hastings. In Lincoln, he and his nickname have been associated with several Italian restaurants, with his most recent venture into fine Italian dining being the classy Villa Amore Italian Eatery & Wine Bar.

Opening Nov. 1, 2019, on the south side of the Country Inn & Suites at 5353 N. 27th St., Villa Amore is a far different animal than most other restaurants that are attached to hotels.

Emphasizing Villa Amore’s ambiance, Ramadani says that customers are surprised and shocked by his restaurant’s appearance and service – “It is something they do not expect from a restaurant associated with a hotel.”

From its crisp, understated interior with white tablecloths to the attentive service and the crooning Frank Sinatra music channel, the restaurant is what an older demographic customer appreciates – calmness, politeness and good taste.

While Villa Amore’s lunch crowd is smaller, the evenings are always busy for Ramadani and his staff. Customers are generally travelers – “There are 11 hotels between Villa Amore and the Interstate, with people either going to or coming from Colorado. And they are not interested in fast food or chain places,” Ramadani says.

Dinners at the restaurant also draw patrons from the surrounding neighborhoods and businesses, as well as make it a destination site for couples.

The Villa Amore kitchen is a favorite haunt for Ramadani, who says he spends time in the kitchen almost every day. That would include his creation of the items on the restaurant’s menu. He says that all of the items on Villa Amore’s menu are either his own recipe creations or his interpretation of classic dishes.

He cites the restaurant’s chicken piccata as an example of the Ramadani flourish with the addition of artichokes and red pepper for flavor and appearance. The Villa Amore pizzas are also different, featuring low-carb crusts that are “almost cracker-like.”

From bread to pasta, everything that comes from the kitchen is “hands-on, homemade,” Ramadani says. He adds that Villa Amore also provides an active catering business.

Bruschetta, Antipasti, Calamari, Sliced Italian Sausage and Mozzarella Sticks ($8-$11.95) make up the Appetizer choices, with either House Salad or Caesar Salad costing $10.95.

Choice of oven-baked or sauteed dishes are featured under Traditional Italian offerings. Oven-baked choices are Homemade Meat Lasagna, Cannelloni or Chicken Parmesan ($14.95) and Tour of Italy (breaded chicken parmesan, cheese manicotti and four-cheese ravioli, $15.95). Under sauteed are Pasta & Meatballs or Spinach Ravioli ($13.95), Grilled Eggplant ($14.95) and Fettuccini Alfredo (chicken, $14.95/shrimp, $19.95).

Villa Amore Specialties dishes number 13 and range from $16.95 to $20.95. Among the choices are Cacciatore (chicken, $15.95/shrimp, $17.95/chicken & shrimp, $20.95); Tortellini ala Vodka (chicken or sausage, $15.95/chicken & sausage, $18.95); Veal Marsala ($18.95) and Chicken or Veal Piccata (chicken, $16.95/veal, $18.95).

Four salmon choices (Uno, Due, Tre and Quattro) cost $20.95, with shrimp offerings including Shrimp Scampi or Shrimp Fra Diavolo ($17.95), Shrimp & Lobster Ravioli ($19.95) and Seafood Alfredo or Shrimp & Scallop Pesto ($20.95).

Explore the Steak category to discover the 12 oz. Sirloin and Fries ($21.95), 14 oz. Ribeye (28.95) and the 14 oz. New York Strip & Shrimp ($29.95). The restaurant’s 12-inch, thin-crust pizza options number 10 and range from $11.95 to $13.95.

Ramadani says that the restaurant offers an occasional specialty dish, which is promoted on the Villa Amore Facebook page. He also says every third Wednesday from 5:30-8:30 p.m., the restaurant hosts a Wine Tasting featuring five different wines and a small appetizer for $10. He says customers really enjoy the event and most also stay for dinner. The restaurant maintains a hefty selection of domestic and international red and white wines to accompany dining.