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A BIT OF ITALY has taken root in Red Mill Commons in Virginia Beach: Rigoletto Italian Bakery & Cafe.

Rigoletto, a quaint counter service cafe in warm earth-tone colors, has seating for 18, including a settee. Owner Gilda Di Domenico with daughter and son, Jessie Gosha and Michael Gibbons, have been gathering regular clientele for five plus years. Di Domenico, originally from Naples, previously owned bakeries in New Hampshire. After vacationing in Virginia Beach, she decided to move here.

From 11 sandwiches, made with Dietz & Watson quality meats served on foccia bread, one can find meat, cheese and vegetable combinations to please. Prosciutto e Mozarella  was a yummy yin and yang. Slightly salty from the meat and sweet with fresh mozzarella, basil and tomato, it was a sandwich to savor. Il Vesuvia  made with Genoa salami, capicolla, ham, fresh mozzarella and roasted red peppers was also lovely.

Di Domenico named her bakery and cafe for the hunchbacked jester Rigoletto, in Giuseppe Verdi’s 1813 opera of the same name. It’s a suspenseful story about the jester and his daughter, and involves revenge, a curse and, above all, love. Try Rigoletto’s panini or baked goods and you’ll see the connection. The apparent passion that Gilda, Jessie and Michael put into Rigoletto’s food ensures that you will find something to love.