By Howard Koplowitz
The Trattoria Lucia, a quaint, Italian restaurant on 247-63 Jamaica Ave., opened last Thursday with the grand-opening scheduled for Thursday.Calle, 39, owns the eatery with her husband Ivan Calle and cousin Joe Villanti, all first-time business owners. The Bronx residents chose the Bellerose location after learning the previous establishment was being sold in the Italian-language newspaper “Oggi.” Karen Calle said the establishment was the perfect place because it was well-populated and reminded them of the Bronx because people are down to earth and warm.”We thought this neighborhood was lacking fine Italian cuisine at an affordable price,” she added, mentioning that the highest-priced entrees at $18.95 only include baby lamb chops and grilled shell steak. Appetizers range from mozzarella sticks at $4.95 to antipasto at $10.95. “We're Italian cuisine prepared from the heart,” she said, which is also the eatery's slogan.But what is of interest to the restaurant's customers is its signature dish, which is displayed on the front of the menu Ð the seafood lucia, which includes everything from calamari to crab legs over pasta. “Everyone's asking about it,” Karen Calle said. Ivan Calle, who is Trattoria Lucia's head chef, has experience working at Angelo's in Little Italy on Mulberry Street. He will be creating up to 15 specials every day, running the gamut from soups and salads to appetizers and entrees. The restaurant specializes in full-service catering, both on and off-premises, with Karen Calle running that part of the operation. She said Trattoria Lucia can accommodate parties of up to 75 people.Calle said she has been in the restaurant business for 24 years, with the three relatives working with each other for the past 12 in the Bronx.”We worked hard, we saved our money and this is what we've been waiting for,” Karen Calle said.Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.
