Villa Cafe Gone, New Apartments to Come?

The Speedwell Avenue Italian cafe has closed its doors.

It's more common in New Jersey to announce the opening of a new Italian restaurant, rather than one's closure. However, such is the case for Villa Cafe, at 52 Speedwell Ave., which is no longer in business here in Morristown. The doors are locked, lights are out and signs around the property invite patrons to visit other area locations in Chatham and Rockaway. Kathleen Janssen, with Villa Enterprises, Villa Cafe's parent company, said the Italian restaurant–which opened in Morristown in 2008–had closed Wednesday, May 23. She referred Patch to property owner Scotto Properties, where a call was not immediately returned. Now that the restaurant is closed–what's replacing it? Ryan Dawson, with Weichert Realtors, has a website for the property …

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Morristown Munchies

Villa Cafe: An Italian-American Diner

From stromboli to pasta fagioli, this chain is too many steps removed from its Neapolitan roots.

Its name may not have the familiar ring to it that most chains have, but the Villa Cafe across the street from the Hyatt on Speedwell Avenue is part of a worldwide, 200-store conglomerate. With roots that date back to 1964 in Manhattan and recipes from Naples, the Villa company also operates George and Martha's and, as of January of this year, The Office. Decorated in warm oranges and browns designed to stimulate the appetite, Morristown's Villa Cafe is an Italian American diner, with sit-down service, as well as takeout and delivery. The ceiling is open to ductwork above, the ceiling fans each have stained-glass fixtures and several windows look out onto Speedwell Avenue. A few of the many booths are large enough to accommodate groups, …

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Warren Bobrow

12:37 pm on Friday, June 10, 2011

Villa Cafe is a cautionary tale of Italian recipes gone horribly wrong.   more ›