Viola’s – Gnocchi For The Soul

A Story About Overcoming Tragedy Through The Strength Of The Community And Each Other. 

When my husband and I were newly engaged, we attended a premarital counseling class through our church. I remember the pastor encouraging us to find an older couple in our lives that have a strong, loving relationship that we would like to emulate.  We were asked to spend time with that couple, and even solicit relationship advice based on their years of being happily married.  At the time, we both looked at one another, lost, searching each other for an answer.

A few years later, I met Helen Viola. She worked with my husband, and immediately I adored her. She brought a sense of honest joyfulness to my life. When she told me her husband, Andy, had been in the restaurant business for years, being a foodie myself, I had to meet him and pick his brain. We became fast friends. All four of us connected through our love of food, and respect for the hard-work ethic we all brought to the table. As the years went on, I followed Andy and Helen through their culinary journey by doing small marketing jobs for them here and there, really just enough so they would feed me (and not just my appetite). Being around the Viola’s was like drinking a cup of warm soup on a cold night.

Finally, it was time for Andy and Helen’s dream to become a reality, and open up a restaurant with their name adorning the sign out front.  Viola’s Pizza, Pasta and Seafood opened for business in September 2014 in St. Augustine Beach.  Although Viola’s was over an hour journey from our home, my husband and I would drive down as often as we could.  From the minute one walks through the restaurant’s glass door, everything reminds you of Andy and Helen. It was like finally seeing, smelling, and tasting their love of food, and their love for each other.

I once asked Helen if she had any regulars that come in every week, and she responded with, “Actually, we have guests that come in four to five times a week that are like family.” Then I thought, they probably feel the same way we feel when we visit Viola’s. Like we’re home. We feel like family too.

For the first time, Viola’s Restaurant closed for four days to complete a major renovation.  Every chair rail had been wiped down and the restaurant had never looked so polished. Andy and Helen locked the restaurant doors that night, and for the first time in years, flew north to New England to spend some much needed relaxation time together.

Then, just two days later, on October 7, 2016, Hurricane Matthew blew through St. Augustine Beach like a steamroller. As my family hunkered down in Jacksonville, hoping the worst was not true, we anxiously awaited word from Helen and Andy. Nothing. For days we waited, until finally we saw the Facebook posting –

It is with heavy hearts that we bring you this update: In the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, Viola's Pizza, Pasta & Seafood has suffered significant water damage caused by the storm surge. Our building is still standing but we will be closed for business until further notice…

I immediately burst into tears and couldn’t get the words out to read this news to my family. Later, Helen and Andy told us that they desperately tried to get home to help secure their restaurant, but all flights were cancelled. They were trapped. They watched the news helplessly as Hurricane Matthew inched closer and closer to the Florida coast.

Almost a month later, the Viola’s are still picking up the pieces. The restaurant still stands, but had to be completely gutted on the ground floor due to significant water damage, not only to the building, but all of the equipment. And yet, they journey on, even after being denied by the insurance company, who will only cover the flood damage to the actual structure.  They journey on, because that is what they do. Their journey is strong in faith and in each other.

Some days are filled with good news, small lights at the end of the tunnel, and some days are filled with major setbacks. On those days, Helen and Andy lean on each other for support, and the outpouring of support from their small beach community. This gives them the strength to say things like, “We are so lucky to have three full-time employees stick with us to help us through this. Instead of making pizzas they are hammering nails.” The Viola’s are paying these staff members full-salary with no income to them currently available.

In the few short hours that I visited with Andy and Helen at the restaurant, no less than a dozen eager patrons said the same thing over and over, “When will Viola’s reopen? We really need our Viola’s fix!” Andy and Helen would sweetly say with a smile, “We hope to be open in a few weeks.”

Our hope is that all hurricane restorations will be complete soon enough, and Viola’s will be open again for business within the next month. Until then, I will be dreaming about the gnocchi in vodka sauce Andy always prepares especially for us when we come down to eat at Viola’s Pizza, Pasta and Seafood. Homemade gnocchi, paired with the warm smiles and hugs from our family friends, who may as well be a cup of warm soup, or gnocchi, for the soul. ~

Written By:

Lisa Skowfoe

If you would like to donate to Viola's Pizza, Pasta & Seafood Restaurant to aid in the Hurricane Matthew restoration project, please click the icon below:

Andy & Helen Viola

Pizza Love!

Helen & Andy Viola Wedding Photo

Viola's Children: Tony, Sarah, & AJ Viola

Viola's Holiday Party

Chef Michele & Andy Viola

Preparing Homemade Gnocchi

Family Gatherings at Viola's

Viola's Pizza, Pasta & Seafood Crew

The Dish of my Dreams!

Music By The Sea Festival

Pizza Art

Family Fun at Viola's

Fun Times at Viola's

Andy, Helen & Sarah Viola

Sarah in her #ST Strong Halloween Costume

Helen & Andy Viola

A Valentine’s Love Affair With The Theater

My Review of The Phantom of the Opera.

I recall the first time I saw Phantom of the Opera. It was the show’s second U.S. Tour, which happened to be the first time I ever went to the theater. I was twelve, and it was at the 5^th Avenue Theater in downtown Seattle.  It was magical.  Everything from the sets, to the lights, costumes, and beautifully haunting music - The entire experience was nothing less than enchanting.  At that point, I knew I was hooked!  Thus began my love affair with the theater. I dreamed of the day I could journey to New York City and get lost in the sights and sounds of Broadway in Times Square. 

Many years later, and nearly 100 shows later, I am a self-admitted “Theater Junkie.” I suppose my passion for the performing arts is also partly due to my mother introducing me to her entire collection of Rodgers and Hammerstein on VHS at a very young age.  While other kids were watching cartoons, playing video games or outside riding bikes, we would put in musicals like Oklahoma!, The King and I, and The Music Man. We would then act out our favorite scenes and dance around the room on those typical rainy days in Seattle.

In viewing a very intimate online interview with the Phantom of the Opera’s cast in New York, the young actress who plays Christine Daae’ lights up as she explains how touched she is when fans still wait for her at the stage door to greet her after a performance. Many tell her this is their first theater experience, much like Phantom was mine. I still truly believe that The Phantom of the Opera is one of the most perfect shows to get your feet wet with the theater, due to the plethora of reasons I have illustrated below.

Remembering the original production, I went into this new tour with my eyes wide open, expecting some differences, as that was the word on the press trail. I sat in my plush, red velvet seat, intensely waiting for the show to begin. Then, as the first note of that hunting organ played the theme, a sudden flood of nostalgia washed over me.  Wrapped in memories from my youth, I loved the surprises around every corner that marked this production as an unmistakable reproduction of the original, with a fresh new perspective and personality of it’s own.  Without going into too much detail, as I don’t want to spoil this experience for future theater goers, Christine’s character has been given more strength and free-will. She makes the conscience decision to follow her “Angel of Music” to further her singing career, as opposed to being hypnotized by his trance, and blindly following him into his lair. Any woman can appreciate the new strength given to our heroine, which modernizes this new production.

This new adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera is an invigorating thrill for the senses!  First, all the sights including the new set design, costumes, choreography, and lighting illuminates the mind. Next, the titillating lasting aroma of the larger-than-life theatrical props, all-the-while feeling the emotions through the thespians portrayal of these deep characters, including love, lust, fear, betrayal and pain.  Last, and most captivating, the sounds of the intense and chilling music seeps into the inner-most depths of your soul.

The entire cast was absolutely amazing, from Katie Travis’ portrayal of Christine Daae’, to Storm Lineberger’s as Raoul, to Jacquelynne Fontaine’s as “Prima Donna” Carlotta Giudicelli, and Phumzile Sojola’s as Ubaldo Piangi!

That said, the “Angel of Music,” The Phantom, Chris Mann, stole the show!  As some remember, Mann’s rise to stardom originated on NBC’s hit reality show The Voice four years ago.  Unbelievably, this is Mann’s first ever casting in a Broadway production. His portrayal of the Phantom is astounding, and nothing short of a stellar performance that mirrors a well-seasoned professional. Not only is Mann’s singing phenomenal, but his acting in this newly adapted show is beyond compare! Cheers to Mann and the rest of the cast of Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera!

Brava! Brava! Bravissima!

This new, incredible production of the Phantom of the Opera has a 10-day run in Jacksonville at the Times-Union Center, Moran Theater from February 10–21, 2016.

Do not delay in seeing this show – Purchase tickets here.

Hundreds of Dancing Feet On 42nd Street!

My Review of 42nd Street the Broadway Musical.

Transport yourself to 1933, four years into the great depression, New York City.  To say times were tough would be an understatement.  I recall my grandmother telling me that she would work long hours as a seamstress in downtown Seattle, just to pay rent for her tiny studio flat, which she shared with four other girls.  Unfortunately, when times are tough, industries like the performance arts and theater suffer greatly.

42^nd Street is a fictional, yet historical reference to the times in 1933. Famed director, Julian Marsh, needs a smash hit and is holding auditions for his latest show “Pretty Lady.” Now that the tone has been set for the importance of the acclaim of the show, with each passing scene you feel Marsh’s desperation increase for a sensational cast. Finally, his passion for success is superseded by desperately falling in love with the one woman who could save the show and steal his heart.

42^nd Street is a quirky musical comedy, where you definitely “come and meet those dancing feet.” Every act is chock-full of dance numbers, which will have you tapping your feet along with the music, and laughing at the comedic overacting of the showgirls, who drip with sarcasm and bosomy charm. 

If you love tap dancing numbers, this is the show for you! I absolutely love this style of dance, which I will go as far to say that 42^nd street has more of than any other show on Broadway!  Caitlin Ehlinger, who plays Peggy Sawyer, is quite possibly one of the most talented tap-artists I have ever come across! That girl can really move!

Although, I must admit, Julian Marsh, portrayed by Matthew J. Taylor, was the highlight of the performance for me.  His deep voice and rugged no-nonsense commanding personality, left me a little light-headed.  Taylor definitely had throw-down, and a lovely deep singing voice to back it up.  What do you expect from a man who has portrayed some of the most heart-throbbing, charismatic characters in theater from Professor Harold Hill in the Music Man, to Curly in Oklahoma!

42^nd Street is tons of fun! Whether your pleasure be showgirls, men with throw-down, or simply amazing dancers, go check out this show!

Shows run through Sunday, January 17.

Buy your tickets here.

42nd Street 

Ehlinger and Taylor

42nd Street

42nd Street

42nd Street