Rocky's matriarch gets a special treat

When Josie Gioe O'Brien attended the Who's Who Social and Silent Auction hosted in March by Our Lady of Prompt Succor she had her sights set on something special.

For the past couple of Who's Who events, six hours of indentured service from St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro Jr. has been one of the hottest items to be bid on, and O'Brien was determined to walk out with it in hand.

"I bid on him for my mother," said O'Brien, of Chalmette. "I knew she would like that."

O'Brien, an OLPS alumni and a local Realtor, is the daughter of Leonarda "Nana" Tommaseo Gioe, one of the owners of Rocky and Carlo's Restaurant and wife of the late Carlo Gioe, who cofounded the popular Chalmette eatery with Rocky Tommaseo, who died Oct. 20 at the age of 94.

Nana, as O'Brien's mother is widely known, can always be seen at Rocky's, often cooking lasagna and other Italian dishes. And since O'Brien walked away from the Who's Who as the highest bidder for Taffaro's service, she'll be able to give her mom a special gift today as beginning at 11 a.m. when Taffaro rolls up his sleeves to cook and serve to the lunch crowd along side Nana at the restaurant at 613 W. St. Bernard Highway.

Taffaro will be serving up the restaurant's signature baked macaroni.

"Being at Rocky and Carlo's is like being in my own home," Taffaro said. "I'm looking forward to being in Nana's kitchen and being part of a good ole' Italian family experience."

O'Brien said walking away with the highest bid became even more poignant after her uncle Rocky Tommaseo's passing, especially for everyone at the restaurant.

"They are all so excited, and are looking forward to doing this," O'Brien said.

Tommaseo and Gioe opened Rocky and Carlo's in April 1965, along with several relatives, including Tommaseo's brother, Tommy Tommaseo, who still cooks there.

They were serving up heaping plates of veal parmigiana, macaroni and cheese and stuffed bell peppers for only five months when Hurricane Betsy struck. During that storm, the restaurant's owners made their mark, endearing themselves to the community by serving food to first responders and residents under the light of candles.

Hurricane Katrina proved a much more daunting challenge, but the popular restaurant opened 18 months after the storm to long lines of eager patrons.

After Tommaseo's recent passing, Taffaro declared Oct. 21 as "Rocky Tommaseo Day" in St. Bernard Parish, and flags flew at half-staff.

"He has been an icon of St. Bernard Parish, and is part of what St. Bernard Parish is," said Taffaro, who often brings visiting politicians and policy-makers to the restaurant.

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Kim Gritter can be reached at kgritter@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3792.