About Us
The Story of the Italian Village
A Legacy of Family, Flavor, and Tradition
🌿 Origins in Sicily
1950s–1960s — Palermo Region, Sicily
Our story begins in a small village outside Palermo, Sicily, where John Balconi Sr. first met Fifa. As teenagers, their connection grew slowly—John’s persistent charm eventually won over both Fifa and her father. After getting married, they dreamed of a better life and set their sights on America.
đź—˝ A New Beginning in New York City
1970s — New York City, NY
After leaving their Sicilian village, John and Fifa settled in New York City, where they immersed themselves in the restaurant world—learning every aspect of hospitality, service, and traditional Italian cooking. Those years laid the foundation for what would become a lifelong family passion.
🍕 The First Italian Village
1978 — Grant Street, Buffalo, NY
In 1978, John and Fifa moved to Western New York to be closer to Fifa’s family, who had immigrated earlier from Sicily.
John began managing a small pizzeria on Allen Street, but soon after, the couple opened the original Italian Village on Grant Street in Buffalo’s West Side.
They lived upstairs, while Fifa ran the kitchen below, creating homemade dishes rooted in family recipes. John created a deep connection with the guests. The restaurant quickly became a local institution—drawing everyone from police officers and politicians to athletes, Hollywood celebrities, and neighborhood families alike.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Raising a Family Above the Restaurant
1980s–1990s
While serving the Buffalo community, John and Fifa raised their two children, Johnny and Mimma, in the apartment above the restaurant. From childhood to their teenage years, they grew up surrounded by the aroma of simmering sauce and the laughter of guests. Eventually, both began helping out at the restaurant after school—learning firsthand what it meant to make people feel like family.
🍝 Expanding and Evolving
1990s–2000s
As the Italian Village’s reputation grew, John and Fifa expanded with a second location on Wehrle Drive in Williamsville. It was their first dive into fine dinning and large scale banquets space. It also introduced them to the bar industry serving cocktails and sporting a piano bar with live music. This opened the door to a new generation of guests and an opportunity to access an another aspect of hospitality.
🍷 A Pause and a New Beginning
2010–2012 — A Family Revival
After decades of hard work, John and Fifa began to consider retirement, eventually closing both restaurant locations. But the family legacy was far from over. The Balconi family couldn’t end the legacy, the family was eager to carry on the tradition. The Balconi’s decided to reopen the Italian Village in 2012 on Transit Road in Depew, ushering in a new era for the beloved restaurant. A true combination of everything that they learned in almost five decades of serving WNY!
❤️ A Family Legacy Lives On
2012–2024
For the next 12 years, John remained the warm, welcoming face of the restaurant—greeting guests from his seat at the bar, remembering names, and making every visitor feel special. Fifa continued to cook with the same love and care she always had, becoming affectionately known as “Nonna Fifa.”
When John passed away in 2024, thousands came to pay their respects—an unforgettable testament to the impact he had made on generations of customers.
🔥 A New ChapterÂ
2025 — Today
Today, Johnny & Fifa Balconi and family lead the Italian Village into its next chapter.
The Transit Road location has been fully renovated inside and out, while the heart of the restaurant—the slow-cooked, 10-hour mother sauce—remains unchanged.
Fan favorites like chicken parmigiana and spaghetti and meatballs continue to anchor the menu, now joined by new dishes such as:
Gnocchi Di Nonna Lucia — Ricotta gnocchi in a creamy wine sauce with pancetta, pine nuts, and fresh vegetables.
Chicken Montemaggiore — Two breaded chicken cutlets topped with a quattro formaggio (four cheese) blend, spinach, roasted red peppers, served in our house made tomato sauce and baked. Plus, a side of pasta in our house sauce.
Chicken Giocattolo — A sun-dried tomato cream sauce tossed in penne pasta and toped with breaded chicken cutlet and drizzled with aged balsamic glaze.
🍽 Continuing the Tradition
Present Day
Today, the Italian Village remains a true family affair. Nonna Fifa still cooks in the kitchen, Johnny greets guests in the dining room, and relatives help run every part of the operation.
From intimate dinners to celebrations in one of the restaurant’s two banquet rooms, guests can expect the same warmth, flavor, and family spirit that began in Sicily generations ago.
When you dine with us, you’re not just a customer—you’re part of the Italian Village family.
