villa de calabria at 1381 Purdytown Turnpike, Hawley, Pennsylvania.

The place is full of contradictions... It's a really down-to-earth, unpretentious, unassuming, Italian restaurant(?) located off the beaten path. Decor is in dire need of renovation, but there is certain charm in the idea the the owners don't seem to give a damn.

The food is strangely good. It totally lacked that professional veneer that we come to expect a food served in restaurants. Instead it displays all qualities of home cooking (literally). The food looked like something I would throw together really quick for my family after work... My veal marsala was way to oily. One of my kids had fettuccine Alfredo, the sauce was totally off balance; too much cream, not enough cheese and way to thick. Fried calamari?... just don't.

I would have not problems giving this place 1 star, but then I tried tomato sauce. I think it was one of the tastiest tomato sauces I have ever tried (and I live in Brooklyn, I know a thing or two about tomato sauces). It was AWESOME!!!! A bit on a thicker, chunkier side, it had a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, with great texture. I would place this sauce in my top 5 easily.

So, if you ever visit this place order any dish that includes their tomato sauce. Give it a shot, you might like it :)