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Willing to satisfy
Restaurateur shuns 'authentic' style
He doesn't care for what he calls the genuinely authentic Italian style of cooking -- the "real thin sauce with a little bit of garnish on top and not much substance."
LaRocca, while operating four different American-Italian restaurants during the past decade, has learned that many people agree with him, preferring richer sauces with their pasta.
"Everywhere we've had restaurants, we've been busy," he said. "People love this kind of food, and we feel like we make it as good as anyone."
Though they never seem to stay in one place too long, LaRocca, 43, and his wife, Irene, have found a niche in American-Italian restaurants.
They opened their fifth such venture in the Plaza Inn Hotel, 3810 S.W. Topeka Blvd., on Jan. 22. As they had done with their past restaurants, the LaRoccas quietly opened the doors -- hoping the quality of their food and ensuing word of mouth entices more customers.
The LaRoccas opened their first restaurant in Lakenheath, England, where LaRocca was stationed in the U.S. Air Force. They opened two more restaurants in England before moving to Florida several years ago.
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The new site should give the restaurant a chance to be even more successful, LaRocca said.
The menu contains eight types of pasta, two types of chicken, shrimp scampi, oven baked submarine sandwiches and salads.
However, LaRocca said, the restaurant's staple item isn't an entree.
"Our best item is probably our garlic rolls," LaRocca said. "They'll always come fresh out of the oven, and they taste great."
The restaurant has 10 employees, but LaRocca said he still is looking for more help. The restaurant can seat up to 130 people and has a banquet room that can be rented for parties.
Above all, Irene LaRocca said, customers will be impressed with the restaurant's willingness to satisfy.
"You'll never hear us say, 'No, we can't do that,' " she said. "If we have it in the restaurant, we'll make it for you. We don't care if it's not on the menu. If you want it, we'll do it."
Ryan Malashock can be reached at ryan.malashock@cjonline.com or (785) 295-1180.