Introduction to La Torretta Italian Grill
La Torretta Italian Grill, a beloved institution in Weston, has been a staple of the Indian Trace neighborhood for 34 years. Their veal francese, baked ziti, pasta e fagioli, and light-as-clouds garlic rolls have presided over weddings and funerals, graduations and mitzvahs, in a sumptuously red-bricked dining space older than the city of Weston itself.
The Decision to Close
Now, La Torretta Italian Grill is scheduled to permanently close on January 11, management confirmed with the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Tuesday. Manager Martha Vasalo said new landlords in the Weston Lakes Plaza planned to “dramatically” increase rents beyond what longtime owners Fabrizio and Vita Russo could handle. “Silent investors from California have decided to raise us,” said Vasalo, adding that La Torretta marked its 34th anniversary in business in early December.
Impact on the Community
La Torretta’s imminent closing marks Weston’s second closing of a longtime comfort-food icon in recent months, after Lucille’s American Cafe shuttered in late August after 26 years. It also bookends another particularly brutal year for local dining, adding to the tally of longtime eateries that met their demise after grappling with doubled rents, increased food and labor costs. Regular diners who heard about La Torretta’s choice to close took to social media in waves of shock and anger, listing their favorite dishes while bemoaning the hardship that legacy restaurants face to stay alive.
Reactions from the Community
“We have been ordering from La Torretta for 27 years!!!” commenter Lisa Cole wrote. “What a loss to Weston!” “We had a large group for dinner after my mom’s funeral and they treated us very well. Hate to see this when they were one of the first restaurants in Town Center,” commenter Linda Palmer said, adding, “We really miss Lucille’s as well.” “I guess we’ll be ordering there a few more times before they close,” Traci Caruso-Borkowski wrote. “I’ve never had a bad meal there.” Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel La Torretta Italian Grill, at 308 Indian Trace in Weston, is scheduled to permanently close on Jan. 11.
History of La Torretta
At its peak, La Torretta operated two locations — one in Weston Lakes and a second 3 miles east, with a slightly altered menu, at 1352 Weston Road in the Country Isles Plaza. Here, La Torretto turned out a carousel of Italian-American classics in its spacious dining room and pink column-wrapped patio, including manicotti, ravioli and lasagna, chicken fortified with Marsala wine, mussels marinara and calamari. La Torretta faced recent setbacks, among them being temporarily ordered shut July 30 by state inspectors for a handful of dirty dining issues.
Conclusion
La Torretta Italian Grill, at 308 Indian Trace, in Weston, expects to close Jan. 11. Call 954-389-0551 or go to LaTorrettaWeston.com. The closing of La Torretta Italian Grill marks the end of an era for the Indian Trace neighborhood, and the community will surely miss this beloved institution.
FAQs
Q: When is La Torretta Italian Grill scheduled to close?
A: La Torretta Italian Grill is scheduled to permanently close on January 11.
Q: Why is La Torretta Italian Grill closing?
A: The new landlords in the Weston Lakes Plaza plan to “dramatically” increase rents beyond what the owners can handle.
Q: How long has La Torretta Italian Grill been in business?
A: La Torretta Italian Grill has been in business for 34 years.
Q: What are some of the popular dishes at La Torretta Italian Grill?
A: Some of the popular dishes at La Torretta Italian Grill include veal francese, baked ziti, pasta e fagioli, and garlic rolls.
