Angry Olive Italian Bistro to Reopen in September

A popular Rocky Hill Italian restaurant and bar will reopen next month after switching owners and closing for renovations.

According to co-owner Ralph Pappalardo, the La Rosa brothers sold the Angry Olive Italian Bistro to their sister Jenine La Rosa-Monthei and him in August. 

Seventy-five percent of the Angry Olive Italian Bistro’s menu will remain, however, new pasta dishes and sauces will be added to 
the menu, Pappalardo said.

The restaurant previously served 45 different brands of wine and Pappalardo hopes to double that amount.

Some minor, “cosmetic” changes including painting the walls are being made to the restaurant, but the layout will remain the same, Pappalardo stated.

Pappalardo and La Rosa-Monthei plan on being more “owner
/operators than previous owners." He plans on being at the restaurant during normal business hours. 

All former employees are being given the opportunity to come back to their jobs and Pappalardo expects three quarters of them to come back.

A new liquor license was issued for restaurant during the week of Aug. 12 and will allow the bistro to have a full bar, according to Director of Planning and Building Kim Ritchie.

La Rosa-Monthei never responded to repeated phone calls for an interview.

Lunch will be served Monday 
through Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and dinner will be served Monday through Thursday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, dinner will be served from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.