In most Italian families, life revolves around the kitchen stove. Sergio Bellofatto’s family kitchen was no different.

“I grew up in Southern Italy. When I was about eight years old I started watching my grandma cook,” he said. “I also watched my father at the stove and learned how to make everything from sauces to minestrone. Grandma taught me 80% of what I know today.

“We also had the iconic large table that seated around 25 people. There was a lot of eating, drinking, discussing, arguing – but always respect.”

Bellofatto immigrated to the United States and worked for 37 years in Italian restaurants before he bought Little Roma Restaurant in La Mesa.

“After 34 years, the restaurant I was working at closed its doors and that’s when I realized it was time to move on.” Bellofatto and his wife bought the Little Roma Restaurant from the previous owner who was ready to retire. “It’s a family restaurant. My wife and I and my kid all participate.”

Most of his recipes are family recipes and are all made to order. His food is from all over Italy: some classics, some from Northern Italy, some from Southern Italy, and some Sicilian desserts.

Every plate is made fresh at the time of order. “My food might take a little longer to come out, but I’m making it on the spot.” He wants every dish to taste like home.

Bellofatto wants you to feel at home. Enjoy the patio. Enjoy your meal. Take your time.

“People bring their friends with them. They love the patio. They love to sit there with a bottle of wine and my food and relax, talk and refresh. I love to see people leaving the restaurant with big smiles on their faces and say, ‘Hey, I’m coming back next week.’ We work hard for that. Good food and good service are the keys.”

Adding to the ambiance is the unique décor with beautiful paintings on the walls and ceilings. “An artist came from Rome in 1999 and painted the wall murals. They are still beautiful and have never needed to be touched up. We just clean the walls,” he said.

Bellofatto has an extensive menu with soups and salads, fresh and dry kinds of pasta, fish and shellfish, the basic standards such as lasagna, lobster ravioli, manicotti, gnocchi and eggplant parmigiana.

“I offer daily specials where I experiment with different cuisine. My prices aren’t high and people appreciate that,” the chef said.

At the end of the day, he said, “Working in a kitchen is not a job — it’s a passion. There are lots of headaches but at the end of the day — it’s a passion.”

Visit Little Roma at 5575 Baltimore Dr, Suite 104 in La Mesa. Check out the menu at: littleromarestaurant.com.

– Robin Dohrn-Simpson is a local food and travel writer. Reach her at: robindohrnsimpson.com.