History of  Carlo's Copa Room

The original Copa Room was located in the Sands hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.  This was the place that Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop; better known as the Rat Pack, called home.  Kansas City’s version, Carlo's Copa Room, is located at 14944 W. 87th Street Parkway.

 The original Rat Pack may be gone, but their presence is alive in my small, family run Italian restaurant.   You will find fabulous food, great service and divine entertainment in this place we call home.

I could not have been blessed with a better Chef than my own mother, Kathy Fiorello.  When she agreed to be the chef,  I then knew I  had the key ingredient for success.  Growing up, mom learned to cook from her mother, Connie Fiorello, as well as her mother-in-law, Antoinette Cammisano.  These special women taught her the secrets of true Italian cooking. Mom spent many years cooking for family and friends but she had never cooked in a restaurant for the public.  So, when it was time to develop the Copa Room menu her sister, (my Aunt) the legendary restauranteur Mary Ann Haynes devoted her time and expertise to the project.

Mom, also known as Nani (Italian for Grandmother) not only runs the kitchen. She comes in early everyday to prep the food, and cooks every dish to order.  She does this to insure that she is serving the very best product to our customers.  There is not one plate that leaves the kitchen without having her seal of approval.   It may take a little longer to get your food than it would at some chain, but Nani treats you like family and will only serve the best. 

We opened in April 2004.  It did not take long before the rave reviews started coming in from the local critics and newspapers.  Our most memorable review was from food editor Lauren Chapin of the Kansas City star.  We also received multiple awards from the Kansas City Star for favorite overall meal, favorite salad (house salad), favorite side dish (Fettuccine Alfredo), favorite seafood entrée (Basa with lemon & white wine sauce), favorite meat entrée (Lasagna with meatballs), favorite dessert (Homemade cheesecake with strawberry sauce) and best service. 

The Pitch also took a liking to our place, writing superb articles about us.  People loved the food, atmosphere and service, which have all proven to be the key things that keep people coming back for more.

Me & my mom

In addition to my mother, two of my cousins are servers and you will find my wife Lenae, and several other family members filling in wherever needed.  So come on in where you will be treated like family!  We are serving food from our heart and recipes from home.  After dinner you will leave planning your next trip in, as we strive to provide every one of our guests with a fabulous dinner and an enjoyable evening!