Lexington, KY - Perhaps it's the sound of fellow Kentuckian Rosemary Clooney wafting through the speakers singing "Mambo Italiano" at Rosalia's Old World Italian Deli, but upon walking through the doors, there is definitely something familiar and delicious in the air.
The family-owned and operated business opened in late December in the former location of Stanley J's along Clays Mill Road in the Stonewall Center.
"(Stanley J's) had a tremendous reputation. They were here for over 23 years. We definitely have got some large shoes to fill," said co-owner and chef Rodney Reynolds. "They had a lot of dedicated clientele."
The Italian eatery is owned and operated by Rodney, his wife, Claira Rosalia, and Jimmy and Julie Hamilton, Claira's mother and stepfather.
Ideas for the new business really began to take shape last year, as the owners learned about the new location and became more and more enthused about the possibilities and potential the spot could offer, but the restaurant, in a way, was a continuation of the family's foray into the food industry. Claira grew up in California, where her mother, Julie, and father owned several Italian restaurants. When Julie remarried, she and Claira relocated to Kentucky, but the daughter wanted to continue the family's involvement with restaurants.
"Claira's dream has always been to be in the family restaurant business. She was given the recipes of her grandmother, Rosalia, and together we as a family decided what to create," Julie said about the new family venture.
The mustard walls of the deli are covered with black and white photos from grandma Rosalia's living room. The original frames, smiles, and charisma of the Italian family invite guests to make themselves at home.
Pulling Rosalia's Old World Italian Deli together was definitely a family affair, with each person taking on different aspects of the business, and the owners want to make sure that family is the emphasis of the restaurant on both sides of the counter.
"It's been really amazing how well a crew of family can come together to get the job done," said Reynolds, a father of three. "We want to build something, just like Stanley J's did. Nothing makes me happier than coming out and seeing families here. ... We want it to be like a family reunion every time you come."
The restaurant's menu offers a variety of hot and cold sandwiches, salads and homemade soups. The bread is made in house, as are the desserts, such as cannoli.
With a soft opening in late December, the family wanted to make sure they had a good handle on all of the details of the business before rolling out an expanded dinner menu.
"Our goal was to unlock the doors, see what happens and get comfortable," Rodney said. "And that's happened. The next step is to set the dinner menu."
The dinner menu is still in development, according to Rodney, and the family is trying to perfect a number of Italian staples, such as lasagna, spaghetti and chicken parmesan.
The new dinner menu should be available in the coming weeks, and then, perhaps even future Rosalia's locations.
"We really want to have four locations," Rodney said. "We'd like our next location to be close to campus."
Rosalia's Old World Italian Deli is located at 3101 Clays Mill Rd., Suite 300A. Currently the restaurant's hours are 10:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., but extended hours will come with the new dinner menu. Rosalia's also offers catering. For more information, call (859) 223-DELI, or visit their website at www.rosaliadelis.com.