Since 1978, Villa D'Este, a family-run Italian restaurant on Ocean Avenue, known for its heaping piles of creamy fettuccini carbonara, crispy veal Parmesan and hearty layers of lasagna bolognese, is set to close in a matter of days. After 44 years serving the San Francisco community, proprietor Ramon Oropeza Sr. announced the closure on Villa D'Este's website. 

"After 44 years, I'm retiring. I've been without time off for the past 61 years, so it's time to hit the road," Oropeza told SFGATE on Friday. "I have a ranch up in Vacaville. So I'm perhaps going to make some wine. I'm going to enjoy that and I have horses."