Fine Living
KITCHENS TWO
A TALE OF By Allison Williams N
o one leaves Liz Varnedoe’s kitchen without being fed. It’s a good thing she
has two. For the past 23
years, Varnedoe has whipped up Italian comfort food just the way her husband Vinny taught her. Their cozy, one-room restaurant quickly became a Fayetteville staple and Varnedoe’s own personal mainstay. When was widowed – twice – Bella Villa was her bastion. Varnedoe is both owner and chef,
even waitress when need be. She takes pride in homemade marinara – no paste allowed, brick-oven pizzas made from her own dough and dishes with (literal) personality. Lee’s Lobster Ravioli is named for dear friend and Cumberland County Register of Deeds Lee Warren Jr. Colleen’s Chicken Cacciatore takes inspiration from Colleen Wellons, owner of Tangles beauty shop. But when she goes home to her
Right | Liz Varnedoe at home in her
Haymount kitchen. Varnedoe owns Bella Villa Italian Restaurant.
50 | Food & Wine • 2010
