A taste of the Old World arrived in Oxford Township this week with the much-anticipated opening of Italia Gardens.
‘I don’t think there’s anything like us here,? said restaurant owner Don Haley. ‘We’re getting phone calls everyday. The staff says everybody is abuzz.?
Located at 1076 S. Lapeer Rd., south of Drahner Rd., Italia Gardens is a casual dining/takeout restaurant specializing in pasta, pizza and barbecue ribs.
‘We’re using family recipes,? Haley said. ‘Some of them date back to when we first opened in 1931.?
Italia Gardens was established 77 years ago as Flint’s first Italian restaurant. It was founded by Haley’s grandparents, Albert and Josephine Barone, a couple of Sicilian immigrants.
Today, the restaurant proudly carries on the family tradition with locations in Flint, Davison and now Oxford.
Haley expects Oxford to be a success based on the restaurant’s previous history and his staff’s experience.
‘We know what’s worked at two places so we’re relying heavily on the tradition we have and the track record we have,? he said.
The secret to Italia Gardens? success is ‘generous portions,? attention to service and an unparalleled commitment to freshness in the kitchen. ‘All of our sauces and bread are made from scratch,? Haley said.
Italia Gardens offers 11 classic pasta dishes, plus six different 10-inch individual pizzas and calzones (not including create-your-own).
A wood-fired brick pizza oven in the dining room imparts a unique flavor to the pizza and ‘gives a great aroma to the whole restaurant,? according to Haley.
It also adds to the restaurant’s ambiance and charm. ‘I think it’s novel that people can sit there and watch their pizza get made right in the dining room,? Haley said.
One of the dishes Italia Gardens is best known for is something you’d never expect to find on the menu. ‘A big part of our menu, which is kind of ironic for an Italian restaurant, is barbecued ribs,? Haley said. ‘It’s just something we kind of fell into maybe 30 years ago and started getting quite a fierce following.?
The restaurant’s special cooking method and exceptional sauce keep barbecue lovers coming back for more.
‘We’ve won several awards over the years for our ribs,? Haley said.
Chicken, seafood, steaks and sausage dishes are also available along with soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts.
Diners are invited to enjoy an ice-cold beer or flavorful wine with their meal.
Wills Winery in Lapeer makes all of Italia Gardens house label wines, which include Italian favorites such as Chianti, Valpolicella, Merlot and Barolo. The restaurant also has a selection of other red, white and blush wines.
Italia Gardens is capable of seating approximately 100 diners upstairs and up to 60 downstairs. The lower level is reserved for private parties, banquets and overflow seating, if needed.
The restaurant will offer off-premise catering options for weddings, graduation parties and other special events.
Approximately 35 people are employed at Italia Gardens, which is 100 percent smoke-free.
Those looking for a quality meal to take home for the family are encouraged to check out Italia Gardens ‘Family Pans to Go.?
The restaurant offers, on a takeout basis only, five different pans of pasta, each served with a garden salad and loaf of fresh-baked bread. Pan meals range from $15-30 and each is capable of feeding four or five people.
‘I don’t know where else you can eat that affordably,? Haley said. ‘They’re a big hit.?
For this week only, Italia Garden will be open Wednesday and Thursday from 3-9 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 3-10 p.m.
On Sunday, normal lunch and dinner hours will begin ? Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.
For more information, including a complete menu, visit www.italiagardens.com.
To contact the restaurant directly call (248) 628-4112.