Restaurant 'bets' diners will love its steak, lamb

When customers enter Rocco's Italian Grill, they are greeted by colorful murals, strains of Frank Sinatra, and, above all, a friendly atmosphere.

Owners Rocky and Linda Piazza have lived in Lakeway for 28 years, and they opened the restaurant 11 years ago. Their goal was to create a place with delicious food, a friendly bar and an atmosphere where any customer would be comfortable.

"My husband wanted it ... kind of like a 'Cheers' atmosphere, I guess," Piazza said. "And we've been very, very blessed that we've been able to fulfill that vision that he had."

The restaurant business is seemingly in the Piazzas' blood. Rocky was raised in Houston by parents who owned a fish market and restaurant, and when he married Linda, the couple bonded over cooking together.

"There was just always a lot of cooking in the family, and my husband and I, when we met, loved doing that ... that was our passion," Linda said. "And Rocky has always wanted to open his own restaurant, so here we are."

The restaurant features indoor dining and a 130-person capacity patio, which overlooks Live Oak Golf Course. On Sept. 21, the restaurant started Late Night at Rocco's on Friday and Saturday nights, which offers music, dancing and a late-night bruschetta menu.

"We've had a real outcry of the local people wanting a place to dance and stay to go have a later-type atmosphere," Piazza said.

In the Lakeway community, Rocco's is also becoming a popular spot for local residents to spend Christmas Eve. Linda said so many customers have come in that she encourages people to make reservations in advance.

"It's kind of becoming a family tradition, to spend Christmas Eve at Rocco's," she said.

The restaurant also offers dinner and happy hour daily and serves lunch Monday through Friday.

Any time a customer visits, he or she can expect fresh selections, including beef that is hand-cut and aged in house, seafood that is delivered three times each week and dishes that are all prepared in-house, Piazza said.

Rocky is so confident customers will be satisfied with his food's freshness and quality, the restaurant offers each diner at Rocco's a bet.

"You know, my husband always says, and I think patrons will back it up, that we have one of the best steaks in Austin, and he'll always say, 'If you order my steak or my lamb, and you don't like it, I'll buy it for you.' He probably has bought less than a handful in 11 years," Piazza said. "So that's how we feel about the quality of the food we serve."

The Piazzas are planning to expand in 2013 and are currently looking at three potential spots for a second location. Wherever it is built, it will embody the same values as its flagship restaurant.

"Our restaurant, and what we try to achieve, is that it's really just a fun and friendly atmosphere," Piazza said.

Appetizer

To start off, co-owner Linda Piazza recommends the bella baci, jalenpeos stuffed with fontina and shrimp, wrapped in bacon and grilled.

Dinner

Co-owner Rocky Piazza's favorite dish is the lamb rack marinated in basil lemon butter and orange mint sauce, and served with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans.

On the lighter side

For a lighter entre, Linda Piazza enjoys the Mediterranean salad pizza, which features lettuce, purple onions, olives and cheese on top of a thin, crispy crust.

Dessert

Dessert lovers can enjoy a Ghirardelli chocolate brownie that is served with two scoops of chocolate ice cream.

Rocco's Italian Grill, 900 RR 620, Ste. A106, Lakeway, 263-8204, www.roccosgrill.com

• Lunch: Mon–Fri. 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Dinner: Sun.–Thu. 5–9 p.m.,
• Fri.–Sat. 5–10 p.m.