The New York Times Article – Villa Berulia
The New York Times “Off the Menu” – February 24, 2026
In a business notable for failure, a restaurant that hangs on and continues to fill seats after 45 years is worth noting. The secret? Establish a loyal, preferably local, clientele for a place that delivers with satisfying consistency, as Villa Berulia has done in Murray Hill since 1981. At this dressy Italian restaurant with some Croatian roots, serving buzara, a Croatian seafood stew, the second-generation owners Steve Varela and Alexandria Ivanac, will mark the occasion with a $45 three-course heritage menu from March 10 through 29. In addition there will be an anniversary pasta special for $19.81 each evening:
107 East 34th Street, 212-689-1970, villaberulia.com/45years (https://villaberulia.com/45years/).
I love Villa Berulia and try to visit whenever I am in the City. The food is fantastic and the value is substantial. Alex and Steve are extraordinary hosts and I especially love their Aunt Maria , who is so generous in every aspect. 45 years in the restaurant is so rare and these people deserve our support