The first thing to greet customers as they step into the entranceway of the new Rocco's restaurant along Pine Street is a cherry red 1967 Vespa Sprint 150.

The restored vintage scooter — originally owned by Joe Rocco's father in Italy, then shipped over and given a makeover in time for the restaurant's June 15 opening — is a visceral and eye-catching symbol of the Italian restaurateur’s attempt to recapture and update the "smells and sounds of our youth."

Evidence of this multi-generational approach also reveals itself in the wood-paneled interior and old-meets-new menu selections. Classics such as Caponata and arancini co-exist alongside more modern interpretations such as a "Primavera Pizza" with fava beans, pea shoots and white truffle oil.

"The décor is kind of modern, but we wanted to keep some old touches," Rocco told the Advertiser last week, indicating an assortment of black and white photographs featuring scenes from turn-of-the-century America.

Rocco's brothers, Michael and Frank, are partners in his culinary venture. He said the idea for the restaurant came from working for their father at his own pizza shop when they were boys.