Rosa Ristorante Takes Root on Henderson’s Bustling St. Rose Parkway

Highly anticipated Italian-American restaurant by Chef Rob Moore is slated to open its doors on April 27

Rosa Ristorante is poised to debut this Wednesday, April 27, and will be opening its doors at 3 p.m. with an inaugural happy hour and following with the restaurant’s very first dinner service at 5 p.m. Inspired by the nostalgic Italian-American fare from Executive Chef & Owner Rob Moore’s upbringing in New Jersey, the concept will offer a dining and drinking experience for locals and visitors alike, served up with a heavy dose of genuine hospitality.

Upon entering the restaurant, the newly redesigned space provides a warm, welcoming ambiance to honor the chef’s Italian-American heritage, along with his time spent cutting his teeth in Brooklyn and New York City kitchens with dark wood walls, exposed brick, wooden tabletops, an expansive patio, and special touches throughout Rosa’s branding and artistic elements from Chef Moore’s close friends; local mother and daughter artists Doris Paessler Martinez and Cerissa Lopez.

Cerissa took the story of how the concept came to life into consideration and ran with it from the logo and menu design to the exterior signage to the classic Bacchus painting at the entrance and the flower mural in the main dining room. Doris created the roses used throughout the restaurant as well as the classic Roman ink/watercolor artwork, which was custom designed for the space to instill a sense of remembrance; think old Vegas meets Brooklyn as the palette.

“I wanted to explore the history of the city’s infamous neon signage and I was inspired by the retro, neon letters used by landmarks associated with the Strip,” says Lopez. “The menu was also an homage to 1960’s menu styles, giving it a timeless feel. The triptych of the Roman God, Bacchus (God of Wine and Theater) in the entryway is a modern take of Roman-Hellenistic sculptures and will be adorned with roses burnt into the wood panels.”

After honing his skills for three decades alongside globally recognized chefs and restaurateurs from New York City to Las Vegas, Chef Rob Moore has tapped some of the finest front and back of house management in the business to join him as part of his very first solo venture, General Manager David Oseas and Chef de Cuisine Andy Gomez.

“My goal at Rosa is to bring back neighborhood dining, offering an approachable, yet superior quality experience” states Moore. “I am humbled by the incredible team I have been fortunate to assemble, and can’t wait to introduce you to our beautiful space, elevated Italian fare, and a beverage program unlike any other in the area.”

The menu will offer comforting, yet refined dishes utilizing local purveyors and seasonal ingredients starting with small plates and antipasti such as Cheesy Risotto Fritters stuffed with Pecorino Romano and served with basil aioli, and Beef Carpaccio featuring sliced beef tenderloin, arugula, Parmesan and lemon. Salads include chef’s interpretation of the classics – Caesar, Tomato & Mozz, and Baby Beets with goat cheese, toasted pistachios, arugula, and aged balsamic, as well as the soon-to-be signature Antipasto Salad alla Rosa, which is a nod to chef’s grandmother’s recipe composed of an array of traditional merchandise including chopped romaine, ham, salami, Soppressata, roasted peppers, olives, tomatoes, red onion, mozzarella, herbs, and red wine vinaigrette.

The pizza dough at Rosa is an 80% hydration recipe that Chef Moore perfected as a nod to one of his most respected mentors, Gregory Brainin, Executive Vice President of Culinary Development for Jean-Georges, which produces the optimum crunchy, chewy, crispy, and bubbly crust as the base. Highlights include the Spicy Pepperoni with Rosa tomato sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni sourced locally from Michael’s Gourmet Pantry, and a Mushroom Pizza with local market mushrooms, Fontina, and lemon.

Pastas won’t disappoint with quintessential favorites like Spaghetti & Meatballs, Linguine & White Clam Sauce, and a decadent Tagliatelle Bolognese. Steak-loving guests would be remiss to not experience an a la carte cut of 1855 Black Angus USDA beef from Grand Island, Nebraska. Wet-aged for 40 days, Chef Moore’s selection of steaks are seasoned to perfection and finished with butter. Sub-primal cuts include a Ribeye Medallion and Filet Mignon, and larger options including the 24-oz T-Bone and a show-stopping 32-oz Porterhouse are perfect for sharing along with an array of sides for the table.

Featured entrees offer several seafood options including a Roasted Branzino with herbs, fennel, lemon, and bacalao mashed potatoes, Lobster fra Diavolo with linguine and spicy marinara, a Swordfish Piccata with white wine, lemon and caper butter, and Seafood Cioppino in a tomato-saffron broth. Steaks and entrees are complemented with indulgent sides such as the Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes, Alfredo Mac & Cheese, and chef’s signature Crispy Potatoes with Fontina and pancetta, as well as a selection of seasonal Italian-style veggie options.

The cocktail program will feature a seasonal mix of unique renditions of the classics including the St. Rose Blvd, a lighter play on the Boulevardier with Rye, Aperol, and an ice sphere; a Margarita Fra Diavolo, which is a spicy rendition with orange, bay leaf, and mezcal, and a White Negroni with gin, Suze, and Lillet. Juices are freshly pressed daily and housemade syrups bring the program to life, allowing unique creations to shine such as the Pineapple & Basil Smash with gin, fresh pineapple juice, basil tincture, chartreuse, housemade lemon cordial, and basil leaf; the Sloe Llama, which is a Sloe Gin sour with Bolivian Spirit Singani 63, orange syrup and fresh lime. Many of the cocktails at Rosa Ristorante will utilize the expansive Amaro collection at Rosa such as the Rob Fox, a unique blend of Bourbon, Amaro, Vermouth, lemon, and a splash of sparkling wine; the Fernet Swizzle with dark rum, Fernet Branca, crushed ice, ginger beer, and lime zest; a seasonal Amaro Sour with rotating selections of Amaro expertly paired with seasonal fruit, currently featuring amaro, gin, cherry, grapefruit, lemon juice, and soda. Finally, beloved local bartender Tommy Lundquist will be personally pouring his award-winning MidTown, a seductive blend of Woodford Reserve bourbon, Averna, Cocchi Americano, cherry bitters, and housemade brandied cherries.

The beverage program at Rosa Ristorante features the expected Italian-American selection of wine, beer, and a brown spirits program that complements the cuisine. Offering daily happy hour in the bar, lounge, and outdoor patio, guests can enjoy attractively-priced featured drinks and chef’s choice bites in a gorgeous setting after work or as a pre-dinner aperitif. The bar is taken to another level with the addition of a reserve wine and top-shelf liquor program, complete with a library ladder; local draft beers; limoncellos infused with unexpected flavor profiles such as grapefruit and licorice root; and an extensive digestif program featuring an Amaro tableside presentation.

For the ultimate dining experience, guests can reserve the Chef’s Counter at Rosa. With a bird’s eye view into the action happening in the kitchen, these exclusive six seats will offer diners the opportunity to have a truly curated chef’s selection of his favorite dishes available on any given night, and perhaps a few surprise specials that cannot be found on the standard dinner menu.

“The outpouring of support from the local Las Vegas community has been overwhelming, yet so encouraging. We’ve been quietly getting things in order for months, establishing the team, redesigning the space, conceptualizing the menus and such; the more people that hear about it, the more I am blown away by the response,” states Moore. “The excitement and anticipation surrounding our opening seems to be gaining momentum, and on behalf of the entire Rosa family, we couldn’t be more appreciative.”

Rosa Ristorante is located in the South Las Vegas Valley near the junction of Saint Rose Parkway and Eastern Avenue at the foothill of Seven Hills and Anthem at 3145 St Rose Pkwy #120, Henderson, NV 89052. The neighborhood restaurant will be open Wednesdays through Mondays from 3-9 p.m. on weeknights and 3-10 p.m. on weekends; closed on Tuesdays. Happy Hour is offered in the bar, lounge, and patio from 3-5 p.m. daily. Convenient and complimentary parking is available surrounding the building. For reservations, group dining inquiries, and additional information, please visit https://rosaristorante.com/ or call (702) 478-9200. Follow along on social for upcoming events and updates at @RosaRistoranteLV on IG and @RosaRistorante on Facebook.