Roberto Rosa, a 15-year-old immigrant from El Salvador, began his restaurant career as a dishwasher in Boston, Massachusetts. Stephen Cassevoy, a Jones and Wales Culinary Institute trained chef, took Roberto under his wing and inspired him to become a professional chef. Soaking up the rich culinary heritage of the over one hundred family owned Italian eateries in Little Italy in 1999, Rosa was driven to perfect the authentic recipes and food traditions he had grown to love. Chef Roberto Rosa opened his first restaurant to a series of culinary accolades, including being named to Top Fifty Chefs in Massachusetts. Rosa operated five restaurants in his adopted city of Boston. With his children foremost in his mind, Chef Roberto moved his family to Katy, Texas, where he brought the lessons he’d learned of regional Italian cuisine in Little Italy. He opened Antonia’s Cucina Italiana in Katy in May 2007, Azul Italian Kitchen Cypress, in 2009, and Antonia’s Ristorante Italiano in Sugar Land, in 2011. “There’s a lot of misconception about Italian food,’’ Chef Roberto explains. “It’s not about heavy red sauce and meatballs. It’s about the freshest regional ingredients. It’s about the freshest Mussels and scallops in my Linguine Di Mare (Italian for Fruit of the Sea), the tenderest, fresh veal in our Vitello Saltimbocca, and unique original recipes like our signature Calamari Fritti. It’s exciting for us to introduce our patrons—some for the first time—to the joy of authentic Italian cooking.’’ Azul Italian Kitchen takes pride in being the first Tapas Italian Restaurant in Cypress. Manager Rafael Portillo, Chef Roberto’s brother, is a well-known figure with the customers, and readily sings the praises of the restaurant’s cuisine. “Our lunch clientele loves the Azul Express Lunch Menu. We offer excellent entrees such as Pasta Molise, (Sauteed chicken, broccoli, mushrooms, tomatoes served with rigatoni pasta in a garlic wine sauce with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil), and Linguini Carbonara, (Bacon onions, green peas, mushrooms in a Parmesan cheese cream sauce). These meals include a soup or house salad and a soft drink for $8.99. We are providing good quality cuisine at a wonderful price!” Chef Roberto brings a wonderful assortment of Italian dishes to the dinner table. While one might be tempted to try traditional dishes such as Fettuccine Alfredo and Spaghetti and Meatballs, the chef’s Pollo Saltimbocca, Scallops Andrea, and Salmon Fresca are resplendent in their old country authenticity. Gluten Free entrees include Lamb Chops with a Raspberry Wine Sauce and Beef Short Ribs braised in pineapple veal demi-glaze. Chances are, there will be decadent chocolate cake and Tiramisu for dessert. The friendly bartender is sure to please with a large selection of spirits, including martinis, mojitos, and wines Happy Hour Specials are available Monday through Friday, 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., and Saturday 12 noon – 5:00 p.m., and Ladies Night Thursdays. What Cypress is saying Sean-Ruby Joseph: “Our waiter was amazing; my lasagna, so good. My husband absolutely loved his calamari, mussels and veal plate. Great service and food equals a win for us!” Sheila Pittman: “I ordered the Chicken Parmesan: a generous portion of two chicken breasts and delicious grilled veggies.” Mindy Lucas: “The Linguini Carbonara is very fresh, flavorful; filled with mushrooms, onions and covered in a creamy garlic wine Alfredo sauce. Love their pesto dipping sauce and fresh bread.” Melissa Seureau: “Azul is my favorite; took my mom there for lunch on her birthday. The waitress took our lunch order, came back to the table, and brought my mom a root beer float. After our meal, the manager brought my mom Tiramisu for dessert. The food was delicious, but how they made my mom feel was special!” Jamie Claggett: “The lasagna- fresh, cheesy, flavorful!” Michelle Zullinger: “Azul has a great happy hour and fantastic Italian food.” Noelle Abshire: “We eat at Azul once a week; it’s so fresh and delicious. Always a soup of the day and daily fresh chef specials. A family environment with great service. Rafael, the manager, is hands on and delivers.”
