Villa Fortunata’s closed on New Year’s Eve 2005, its owners determining there wasn’t enough business to generate necessary income. Lewiston is only so big – there’s only so many people – and with so many other places to eat, it just wasn’t a viable operation. And yet, just three months later, another Italian restaurant opened … at the same location … to the same audience … in the middle of winter!

Now, if the place with the packed Niagara University Theatre dinner shows, live New York Rat Pack music, friendly hosts and generous portions couldn’t cut it, there was no way two 20-somethings were going to do any better.  There was no way this plan could work! Right?