Inspiration

Cultivating Ideas Among Independent Restaurateurs

La Trattoria

La Trattoria, our free newsletter for restaurateurs, has helped Independent Italian restaurants and pizzerias exchange proven business ideas since 1990.

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Stories,
Recipes & More

Sharing Success
Increasing Your Service Advantage
Sharing Success
Cheap is More Expensive!
Success Stories
Audrey Jane’s Pizza Garage
Business Builders
Telling Your Story & Standing Out
La Vera Cucina
Nonna Filomena’s Zuppa di Lenticchie
Regional Pizza Sauce Recipes
St. Louis Pizza Sauce
Regional Pizza Sauce Recipes
South Chicago Thin Pizza Sauce
Regional Pizza Sauce Recipes
Sicilian Pizza Sauce
Regional Pizza Sauce Recipes
New York Pizza Sauce
Regional Pizza Sauce Recipes
Long Island Grandma Pizza Sauce
Regional Pizza Sauce Recipes
Detroit-Style Pizza Sauce
Regional Pizza Sauce Recipes
Chicago Stuffed Pizza Sauce
Regional Pizza Sauce Recipes
Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Sauce
Regional Pizza Sauce Recipes
California Pizza Sauce
Sharing Success
“Defining Loyalty – Thoughts from Uncle Dino”
Regional Pizza Sauce Recipes
Napoletana Style Pizza Sauce
La Vera Cucina
Mama Flavia’s Penne con Melanzane
Success Stories
Norm’s Pizza
Business Builders
Holiday Favorites “Waiting Lists”
Cortopassi Recipes
Sugo alla Melanzana
Cortopassi Recipes
Spaghetti alla Napoletana
Cortopassi Recipes
Salsa di Cipolle e Capperi
Cortopassi Recipes
Pasta All’Arrabbiata
Cortopassi Recipes
Mary’s Sugo Siciliano
Cortopassi Recipes
Lala Ethel’s Sugo Genovese
La Vera Cucina
Nana Josephine’s Sfinge
Success Stories
Groceria Merante
Business Builders
Remaining Vibrant
Sharing Success
High School Movie Tickets
Success Stories
Wholly Stromboli
La Vera Cucina
Nonna’s Pasta E Patate
Business Builders
Word of Mouth
Sharing Success
Window into the Process
Success Stories
Jasper’s Ristorante
La Vera Cucina
Kay’s Linguine, Shrimp, and Greens
Business Builders
Improving Operations
Sharing Success
Fundamentals for Business Success (and life in general…)
La Vera Cucina
Pollo Di Stefano
Success Stories
Mangia E Bevi
Business Builders
Clientele Cultivation
Sharing Success
In Gratitude
La Vera Cucina
Marie’s Oven-Baked Chicken
Success Stories
Brooklyn Original Pizza
Business Builders
Clever Marketing Ideas
Sharing Success
Being Confident in Quality
La Vera Cucina
Nocatole
Success Stories
Nittany Pizza
Business Builders
Relationships
Sharing Success
Learning From a Cup of Coffee
Sharing Success
Dino Remembered Forever
La Vera Cucina
Mama Delia’s Pollo Cacciatore Bianca
Success Stories
Antonio’s Real New York Pizza
Business Builders
Creative Solutions
Sharing Success
Adapting to Change
La Vera Cucina
Zio Luciano’s Chicken Marsala
Success Stories
Lupo — Fair Haven, NJ
Business Builders
Unique Ideas
Sharing Success
Focus on What You Can Control
La Vera Cucina
Graziella’s Fresh Handmade Lasagna
Success Stories
Sourdough Willy’s Pizza
Business Builders
Unique Ideas 2021
Sharing Success
A Time of Rebirth
Success Stories
Angelo’s Civita Farnese
Business Builders
Boosting Sales
Sharing Success
New Year’s Resolutions
Business Builders
Independents Adapting to Succeed
Sharing Success
Standing Together
Success Stories
Messages of Hope from Fellow Independents
Sharing Success
Special Edition
Success Stories
Little Pops New York Pizza
Sharing Success
What “Business” Are You In?
Business Builders
Unique Ideas 2020
La Vera Cucina
Labbate Family Tiramisù
La Vera Cucina
Maria’s Spaghetti Carbonara
Success Stories
Angelo’s Pizza
Business Builders
Unique Ideas 2019
La Vera Cucina
Andrea’s Zuppa Di Pesce
Success Stories
575º Pizzeria
Business Builders
Getting Noticed
Sharing Success
Don’t Shoot the Messenger
La Vera Cucina
Vitello Alla Ragosta
Business Builders
Getting Noticed 2019
Sharing Success
Happy New Year! 2019
Success Stories
Pizaro’s Pizzeria Napoletana
Sharing Success
Conventional Wisdom
La Vera Cucina
Calamari Ripieni
Success Stories
Razza Artisan Pizzeria
Business Builders
Smoother Operations
Sharing Success
Staying Sharp
La Vera Cucina
Trippa Con Patate
Success Stories
King Umberto Ristorante & Pizzeria
Business Builders
Giving Back
Sharing Success
Never Stop Improving!
La Vera Cucina
Risotto à la Vico Equense
Success Stories
Diana’s Cucina
Business Builders
Smart Ideas October 2017
Sharing Success
A Sustainable Competitive Advantage
La Vera Cucina
Angela’s Chicken Napolitano
Success Stories
Gerry’s Pizzeria
Business Builders
Smart Ideas July 2017
Sharing Success
Making Service Legendary
La Vera Cucina
Cotoletta
Success Stories
Fratelli Village Pizzeria
Business Builders
Customer Milestones
Sharing Success
Making Better Decisions
La Vera Cucina
Pasta Puttanesca
Success Stories
Ristorante Capri
Business Builders
Community Roots
Sharing Success
Accountability Season
La Vera Cucina
Ossobuco con Gremolata
Success Stories
Alongi’s Italian Restaurant Since 1933
Business Builders
Standing Apart December 2016
Sharing Success
Taking My Own Advice
La Vera Cucina
Anna’s Carciofi Ripieni
Success Stories
Tenuta’s Ristorante
Business Builders
Mobile Ordering
Sharing Success
Keeping Up with Technology
La Vera Cucina
Quaglie e Polenta
Success Stories
Bella’s Italian Cafe
Business Builders
Hometown Advantage
Sharing Success
Lessons from Craft Beer
La Vera Cucina
Pollo Michele
Success Stories
Daddio’s Pizza
Business Builders
Unique Angles
Sharing Success
Opportunity Disguised as a Problem
La Vera Cucina
Bagna Cauda
Success Stories
Anthony’s Italian Kitchen
Business Builders
Boosting Profits
Sharing Success
Fast Personal Pizza, Trend or Fad?
La Vera Cucina
Giambotta
Success Stories
Minissale’s Wine Cellar Café
Business Builders
Standing Out 2015
Sharing Success
Leveraging Free Feedback
La Vera Cucina
Giuseppina’s Pasta con Olio e Ricotta
Success Stories
Richard Accursio’s Capri Restaurant
Business Builders
Courting Newcomers
Sharing Success
Food Cost Incentives
La Vera Cucina
Pasta Puttanesca 2014
Success Stories
Vinny’s Ristorante
Business Builders
Crowd Pleasers
Sharing Success
The Power of Employee Incentives
La Vera Cucina
Pizza alla Cipolla
Success Stories
Calabresella Deli
Business Builders
Flavor Advantage
Sharing Success
The Smartphone Generation
La Vera Cucina
Salsiccia e Rapini
Success Stories
Napoli’s Grill
Business Builders
Standing Apart March 2014
Sharing Success
Farming Your Business
La Vera Cucina
Gamberetti e Calamari in Agrodolce
Success Stories
The Italian Oasis
Business Builders
Unique Ideas December 2013
Sharing Success
Beware of the “Hidden Fix”
La Vera Cucina
“Mariner’s Mussels”
Success Stories
Brown Dog Pizza
Business Builders
Attention Getters
Sharing Success
Remembering What Customers Value Most
La Vera Cucina
Orecchiette alla Romana
Success Stories
Ristorante Giuseppe
Business Builders
Local Roots
Sharing Success
The Value of Time Urgency
La Vera Cucina
Pastiera
Success Stories
Thompson House Eatery
Business Builders
Word of Mouth March 2013
Sharing Success
Classic Comments: The World According to Yogi
La Vera Cucina
Domenica’s Cinghiale Alla Griglia (Grilled Wild Boar)
Success Stories
Avalanche Pizza
Business Builders
Community Roots January 2013
Sharing Success
L’Occhio di Padrone
La Vera Cucina
Eggplant Maria Assunta
Success Stories
Pietro’s Trattoria
Business Builders
Attention Getters September 2012
Sharing Success
Preparing for “Review”
La Vera Cucina
Baked Lobster Galliano
Success Stories
Juliano’s Ristorante
Business Builders
Unique “Signatures”
Sharing Success
Motivating Generation Y
La Vera Cucina
Pane fritt’ con Alici (Anchovy Fritters)
Success Stories
Angelo’s Deli
Business Builders
Memorable Tactics
Sharing Success
Focus on Satisfaction
La Vera Cucina
Bagna Cauda December 2011
Success Stories
Rock River Pizza
Business Builders
Season’s Greetings
Sharing Success
Flavor and Memory
La Vera Cucina
Pasta e Fagioli
Success Stories
Dr. Pizza
Business Builders
Attracting Families
Sharing Success
Defining Loyalty
La Vera Cucina
Sfogliatelle
Success Stories
Pizzeria Chic Alors
Business Builders
Unusual Intros
Sharing Success
The Four Ps
Sharing Success
Returning to Lucca: A Feast for the Senses
La Vera Cucina
Linguine con Broccoli
Success Stories
Rosa’s Italian Market and Deli
Business Builders
Customer Bonds
Sharing Success
Solving the Right Problem
La Vera Cucina
Pollo Marsala
Success Stories
Maggio’s Ristorante
Business Builders
Local Roots May 2011
Sharing Success
Home Grown Marketing
La Vera Cucina
Saltimbocca Provolone
Success Stories
Cornerstone Pizza
Business Builders
Standing Out March 2011
Sharing Success
Facing Inflation
La Vera Cucina
Pollo Rotollo a la Tony’s
Success Stories
Liberatore’s Ristorante
Business Builders
Happy Holidays January 2011
Sharing Success
Man Doth Not Live by Bread Alone
La Vera Cucina
Calamari e Rucola
Success Stories
The Italian Fisherman
Business Builders
Back in School
Sharing Success
“Whose Reputation Is at Stake?”
Business Builders
Timeless Tips from Past Issues #2
La Vera Cucina
Gina’s Gnocchi e Fagioli
Success Stories
Vito’s Pizza
Business Builders
Standing Out June 2010
Sharing Success
The Quality Opportunity
La Vera Cucina
Pasticciata
Success Stories
Scoozzi Trattoria
Business Builders
Increasing Repeat Visits
Sharing Success
Being “Real” Pays Off!
La Vera Cucina
Red Pepper Pasta Ravioli
Success Stories
Trattoria Fabrizio
Business Builders
Surprising Sales
Sharing Success
The Service Opportunity
La Vera Cucina
Vacarro’s Chicken Ricotta
Success Stories
Lorenzo’s Ristorante
Business Builders
Win/Win Ideas
Sharing Success
Hit ’em Where They Ain’t
Business Builders
Timeless Tips from Past Issues
La Vera Cucina
Pizza con Escarole Mondragonese
Success Stories
Pranzi Catering
Business Builders
Standing Out September 2009
Sharing Success
Not Reinventing the Wheel
La Vera Cucina
Salsiccia Nicole
Success Stories
The Palms Restaurant
Business Builders
Community Ties
Sharing Success
Opportunity Can Arrive as an Unsolveable Problem!
La Vera Cucina
Gerardo’s Lemon Tiramisu
Success Stories
Casa D’italia
Business Builders
Unique Angles April 2009
Sharing Success
Gaining Perspective
La Vera Cucina
Genevieve’s Chicken Scarpelli
Success Stories
Vizzy’s Pizza Palace
Business Builders
Memorable Visits
Sharing Success
Choosing Fellow Travelers
La Vera Cucina
Jeanie’s Pasta con Prosciutto
Success Stories
Alamo City Pizza Parlor
Business Builders
Memorable Visits January 2009
Sharing Success
Behind the Pink Door
La Vera Cucina
Catherine’s Wedding Soup
Success Stories
Santo’s Pizza
Business Builders
Making an Impression October 2008
Sharing Success
Capra’s Secret
La Vera Cucina
Ciabatta Pizzette
Success Stories
Vinny’s Deli
Business Builders
Showing Appreciation
Sharing Success
Sticking with Winners
La Vera Cucina
Peperoni con Acciuga e Formaggio
Success Stories
Za’s
Business Builders
Hometown Connection
Sharing Success
Taking the High Road June 2008
La Vera Cucina
Pollo alla Lina
Success Stories
Lina’s Ristorante April 2008
Business Builders
Reaching Out
Sharing Success
Sticking With Winners April 2008
La Vera Cucina
Grilled Eggplant Capri
Success Stories
Lina’s Ristorante
Business Builders
Untapped Markets
Sharing Success
Greetings from Pizza Expo
La Vera Cucina
La Vera Cucina
Success Stories
Primadonna Restaurant
Business Builders
Boosting Word of Mouth
Sharing Success
Taking the High Road
La Vera Cucina
Scaloppine di Pollo à la Arancia
Success Stories
Italian Market Café
Business Builders
Target Marketing
Sharing Success
Returning to Lucca: A Feast for the Senses
Sharing Success
Sharing Success