62-29 Woodhaven Blvd. (at 62nd Rd.) Rego Park, NY 11374 – (718) 424-1455
When we use the term “home grown” it doesn’t get more “home grown” than the ownership of Barosa Restaurant in Rego Park. Joey LaRosa and Frank Barbone (hence “Barosa”) are local guys who love the Middle Village neighborhood and surrounding areas enough to open up their Italian restaurant and spend their days and nights making sure they serve some of the finest Italian food in town.
In addition to Barosa Restaurant, where dining is relaxed in a friendly atmosphere and the food is great with a cozy décor, they recently opened Barosa’s Brick Oven Pizzeria & Take Out area right next door. The star entrees on that menu feature brick oven pizza, personal Sicilian pies, 8×8 in size, and an accompanying pasta menu with other Italian goodies, all economically priced. If you feel like having a dining out experience but want it on a budget, Barosa’s Brick Oven Pizzeria is the place for you. The ambiance is pleasant and while you enjoy your choice of entre from the blackboard menu you will feel right at home because the walls are covered with Middle Village memorabilia, pictures from back in the day, donated by the Juniper Berry, and a truly hometown feeling prevails. They even have a liquor license so you can enjoy a drink while you feast on their delicious meals.
Whether it be a leisurely lunch or a night out with friends, all the choices are home runs and it’s hard to pick a favorite. I encourage everyone to go to Barosa’s for a great Italian dish whether it is meat or fish, and pay attention to their pasta fagioli soup and please, if you have room for more food, don’t forget their delicious desserts! You will be planning your return visit very quickly! On Tuesday nights they even have music while you dine so you can go to Barosa’s and literally unwind from a busy day’s work listening to some Frank Sinatra songs.
Barosa’s is also known for their catering, which can accommodate parties of any size. They recently expanded their kitchen facilities so they are able to cater large or small parties such as communions, confirmations, graduations, showers, funerals, and birthday parties. Let Barosa cater your next party while you sit back and relax.
Since parking is always the NYC nemesis Barosa has valet parking from 12 noon to 10pm. It is obvious that owners, Joey and Frank, have thought of everything necessary to encourage you to go to Barosa, and chill out from the crazy, mixed-up world we live in.
Joey’s family owned LaRosa’s Bakery back in the day and servicing the neighborhood is ingrained in Joey LaRosa’s character. He and Frank come from good local stock with a legacy rich in giving back to their community.
You can certainly sense how proud Joey and Frank are of their restaurant and the impact it has had on our community. It doesn’t get any better than to see two local kids launch themselves on a hometown business and experience the sweet success of Joey La Rosa and Frank Barbone, both still humble guys, totally grateful for how the neighborhood has embraced them. They work hard every day to earn the confidence placed in them by the area residents.
At Barosa’s there’s always an owner present at the restaurant to make sure everything goes smoothly. They pay attention to every detail and you get that sense of oversight the minute you walk in their doors.
Go to Barosa, try to call ahead for a reservation, have a drink and chill out with one of their delicious Italian creations. Let Joey, Frank and the Barosa staff fuss over you. As I always suggest, it won’t hurt to tell them you read about them in the Juniper Berry and trust me, you’ll be back!
Photos: The New Barosa’s Brick Oven Pizzeria & Take Out area.