Rocco Cadolini did a few stints in five-star hotels in Europe. Later, he became a well-known New York restaurateur. But something was missing. He found it on Bardstown Road, of all places. “My father-in-law is from Louisville. Four or five years ago, we started coming here for Thanksgiving. I fell in love with the city and thought the people really understood and appreciated food,” he said.

What he was feeling must have been true love, not merely infatuation. He moved his family to Louisville, began formulating plans for an Italian restaurant, purchased a building and initiated extensive renovations. After two years, on April 17, he opened the doors of ROC.