Contributed by Judy Fish
“I love to feed people,” said Andi Surface as she prepared homemade rolls for 50 for a Flucos Football dinner recently.
The busy mom was cooking up a storm to feed not only the football team, but other families taking advantage of the weekly “Family Meal Deal” offered each Thursday at Villa Nova’s Pizzeria and Italian Bistro—a business she runs with her partner, David McRae.
“We really want to help the families that are low on time and possibly low on funds to enjoy a sit-down meal that they don’t have to clean up after,” said Surface as she drained a giant vat of pasta. Surface and McRae have three children of their own and know how busy and stressed some families can feel, she said.
Wearing sneakers, an apron and a ponytail, Surface said some are surprised at the $7.50 starting price. That price is not per person. It’s the total cost of the entire meal, which she said is “more than enough” for a family of four.
“The meal includes a pasta of your choice, tossed in butter, and two of our house-made bread rolls,” Surface said. “This deal is completely flexible to you. If you have a sauce at home, sitting in your pantry, and just need cooked pasta? We’ve got you! If you want pasta, chicken parmesan, and a garden salad with two-ounce dressings, we can do that!”
For the Flucos Football team dinner, Surface and her crew are making baked ziti and chicken alfredo. “We are also making salad, which is good,” said Surface, showing her maternal side. “Everybody needs veggies.” The dinner will also include homemade bread.
“We are grateful for the order,” Surface said. She said it has been challenging to take over the restaurant during this “difficult time of staff shortages and supply issues.” McRae and Surface bought the restaurant a year ago last month and are working hard to make it their own.
“People do not like change,” Surface said. “We have made some changes to the interior of the restaurant and more are coming. We need to use the space as efficiently as possible.”
She said menu changes were also necessary. “We have found that not all of the menu items that were offered when we took over are equally popular,” she said. The couple now serves the mussels meal as a Sunday special to be able to still offer it to their customers.
Surface said menu changes are made to ensure the “best, freshest, most consistent meals” possible. She said pizza remains the most popular item the restaurant serves.
The Family Meal Deals are packaged up for pickup after 4 p.m. each Thursday, Surface said. Order the meals by 2 p.m. each Thursday at https://www.toasttab.com/villa-novas-pizza or call 434-589-3003.
