2 for $25 - Villa Grill is a nice addition to the area

By: CASSANDRA SHERRILL | Winston-Salem Journal
Published: January 19, 2012

NAME: Villa Grill

ADDRESS: 4146 Clemmons Road, Clemmons (in the shopping center across from Tanglewood)

PHONE: 336-712-1991

DAYS/HOURS: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

TYPE OF RESTAURANT: Predominantly Greek and Italian

WHAT WE ATE/COST: 12-inch create-your-own flatbread ($8.50 for sauce and cheese, plus $1.25 for an extra topping); 6-inch eggplant parmesan sub ($5.95, comes with one side); lemoncello cake ($3.95). We both drank water.

TOTAL FOR TWO: $19.65 for food, plus $1.33 tax and $4.00 tip for a total of $24.48.

WE COULD HAVE PAID MORE: Prices are reasonable. The most expensive single item on the menu is the 15-inch carnivore flatbread ($16.95), which would feed two. The most expensive entrée is the marinated sirloin steak ($12.95). You can also get 20 "wildest" wings for $13.95 ($1 extra for boneless).

WE COULD HAVE PAID LESS: We could have split a 15-inch flatbread or replaced the flatbread with another sandwich. Most options are in the $6-$13 range.

OTHER COMMENTS: This restaurant has been open for about a month, and it's a nice addition to the Clemmons restaurant scene. They especially push their flatbreads, which feature a nicely crispy thin crust. The variety of sauce choices is impressive, including the usual tomato, but also ricotta, hummus and BBQ. A 12-inch could feed two people if they weren't super-hungry or also got an appetizer; my friend had leftovers. The eggplant parmesan was yummy and not overly greasy, like so many unfortunately are. The lemoncello cake was divine, managing to seem decadent and light at the same time. Even though I was full, I would have happily eaten another slice (or two!).

ATMOSPHERE: Small but not cramped. It feels airier than it did when the space was occupied by Chang Thai, since the large, ornate wooden booths have been replaced. There's no evidence it was once a Thai restaurant. It's decorated with lots of Mediterranean-inspired plates, plus a few small murals painted to look like exposed brick. There are two large flat-screen TVs (the sound was on mute).

SERVICE: Very friendly and accommodating. Our waitress checked back in with us often.

KID-FRIENDLY: Kids 10 and under get a separate menu with several blank tic-tac-toe games. Meals are $3.99 and come with a choice of side and Greek cookie; choices include spaghetti, chicken tenders, and macaroni and cheese.

VEGETARIAN FRIENDLY: Yes. There are multiple appetizers, salads, entrees and sandwiches to choose from, and you can customize your flatbread to even make it vegan. They were very open to substitutions.

ALCOHOL: Wine and beer

RESERVATIONS: Accepted, and would be needed for a large party, since it's a small space.