New eatery inspired by Italian city

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Alberto Tapia spent years training to be chef in many Italian cities, including Viareggio, which sits in the Tuscan Riviera.

"It was a beautiful city and I wanted to remember it," he said.

It's been more than 20 years since he was in the small city on the west coast of Italy, but he's kept his memories alive by using the name for his first restaurant. Viareggio Italian Restaurant opened earlier this month at 7121 W. Craig Road, Suite 101.

The restaurant features authentic, traditional Italian meals which Tapia said are Tuscan inspired.

"I spent most of my time in the south of Italy but my last experiences were in Tuscany," he said.

Owner and executive chef of Viareggio, Tapia grew up in Sicily and moved to New York as a teenager where he began working in restaurants.

"I started as a dishwasher because of the language (barrier)," he said.

He moved on to cooking quickly.

"After they knew I could cook it only took about six months before I was jumping on the line," he said.

He trained at the French Culinary Institute in New York as well as his educational tour of Italy. In 1997 he moved to Las Vegas and worked as an executive chef at Caesars Palace.

Tapia spent almost a decade working in Las Vegas restaurants and always thought of opening his own place.

"If I'm going to work 14 hours a day for someone else, I'll work 24 hours a day in my own restaurant," Tapia said. "I'm happy to do it."

All the authentic ingredients used at his restaurant are imported from Italy.

The menu includes Linguine al Viareggio, made traditional-style with baby clams, olives, capers and a touch of marinara sauce; Ravioli di Formaggio, homemade cheese ravioli with cream, Parmesan cheese and sage; and Rotolo di Pollo in Salsa Picante, chicken breast stuffed with spinach and mozzarella.

Entrees on the lunch and dinner menus are priced from $14.50 to $22.50. A kid's menu features a choice of pasta, sauce and meat for $6.50.

Nena Tapia, the chef's wife, is the restaurant's pastry chef. She has taken a few culinary classes but credits her husband for teaching her most of what she knows.

"I've learned a lot with him and then I give it my little touch," she said.

She said she has learned to make authentic Italian tiramisu which is traditionally very light.

The dessert menu includes Tiramisu alla Toscana, a traditional Tuscan dessert with mixed berries, and Canoli alla Siciliana, Sicilian-style with ricotta, dried fruits and chocolate. All desserts are $6.50.

Viareggio will add a wine selection in the next few weeks. Alberto said the restaurant will serve American and Italian wines and will work to keep the prices reasonable.

"Italian food without wine is no fun," he said.

Tapia said when he began looking for the area for his restaurant, he decided on Centennial Hills because there are not many restaurants in the area.

"So far the customers we've had have been so happy we're here," he said. "We appreciate suggestions. We want to make sure the neighborhood is happy. We're here for the customers."

Viareggio is open every day for lunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and for dinner Monday through Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 4 to 11 p.m.