Villa d’Este Restaurant Celebrates 30 years

By Jonathan Farrell

Ramon Oropeza loves his restaurant Villa d’Este which has been a long-standing part of the Lakeside Village area on Ocean Ave. "I never thought I would be in business this many years," he said

This October, Villa d’Este celebrated its 30th Anniversary.

Built in the 1920’s, before Oropeza took over, it had been a pie restaurant. Native San Franciscan Leanna Mossi confirmed. "Yes, it was a pie restaurant, but even then as now it was a place where the neighborhood liked to be," she said.

Upon ownership in 1978, Oropeza envisioned an Italian Restaurant, specializing in the cuisine of Northern Italy. "I named the restaurant after the famous Villa at Tivoli because when I visited Italy many years ago, the place inspired me with its beauty," he said.

Oropeza was proud to say that he raised all of his children while working at Villa d’Este and that "I sent all of them to college," he said. "Now, my grandchildren, Eddie, Armando, Angelica, Erica, Ashley and Pricilla work here," said Oropeza.

"Villa d’Este is one of the last neighborhood restaurants," said local tour guide Joe Reis. "Not very many of them around any more," he said.

Reis surmised that was most of the appeal to patrons and a reason for enduring. "Villa d’Este, with its Art Deco-style interior offers a sense of tradition, with its hospitality and service," said Mossi.

Able to seat 150, Villa d’Este at 2623 Ocean Ave is open for lunch and dinner as well as brunch on Sundays, including holidays. The chef, José Barjas and bartender Jim Pritchard have been with Villa d’Este since it began.

Anniversary party was on Oct. 1. Singer Kathy Holly with pianist David Baioni will performed, as they frequently do on weekends, Dinner starts at 6PM. For details call 415-334-0580.

November 2008