Not just another Italian…

ENAR

Italian food is one of the most common foreign cuisines in Lebanon — so much so that at first glance one wonders what the added value of Villaggio, the latest culinary destination of the Kazami Group, will be. The distinction, however, may find its foundation in the charming setting.  Driving by Kantari road you cannot help but notice, on the corner of Hamra and Downtown, two prefabricated huts nestled in a vast area covered with lush trees, greenery and anchored by a giant clay fountain; Villaggio radiates a warm ambiance which invites the passerby to stop by and give it a try. The restaurant is modeled after the outdoor eateries of Capri in southern Italy and so the emphasis is precisely on this authentic and relaxed setting. “We always wanted to create a garden inside of Beirut, which is something Italian restaurants in Lebanon lack,” explains Melissa Bakhous, senior manager