La Strada Restaurant                                                                                                                         Courtesy of www.igougo.com
Written by vampirefan on September 10, 2007
From journal Lake Lure 101

Given my luck with first dining choices, as we drove through Lake Lure on the way to my intended stop I make a mental note of the restaurants we are passing by. We pulled into my first choice which offered river side dining and sat down at a table. After 10 minutes of being ignored, John asked me if I noticed what restaurants were back in Lake Lure. I mentioned La Strada and off we went.

We pulled into their parking lot and the first level was packed so we drove up to the next parking level. Even if the lower level has space come up on this level as the views of the mountains are incredible. With the parking lot so full, we were afraid this will mean a wait. We walk on down and when he get to the hostess she tells us the wait for patio dining is at least 45 minutes, or we can be seated now if we wish to dine inside. We were hungry so inside it is.

La Strada sits across from Lake Lure and offers diners a great view of the lake and mountains. The dining area is set up though to offer everyone a great view. There is a lower level inside that sits beside of the patio and then the upper level where we sit also allows for a great view. So even inside you are certain to be wowed.

The decor of the restaurant is nice and invites customers inside to relax. They have nice wooden tables and booths, a fireplace, and lovely paintings offering the artists view of Italy.

Even though this is an Italian restaurant, the menu offers something for everyone. Their appetizers include wings, calamari, quesadilla, and dips. They have plenty of pasta dishes on the menu as well as seafood and steaks. They are known for their NY Brick Oven Pizza offering a variety of toppings. John and I decide to keep it simple and he goes for baked lasagna and I have a simple spaghetti marinara. I also get a side salad with Italian dressing. Our waiter, Kevin, quickly returns after getting our order with our 2 teas, my salad, and their homemade rolls. These rolls are small, but boy are they good. They smell like they have enough garlic to keep Dracula away for decades. I hesitantly bite into one thinking it will taste as strong as it smells, but I am pleasantly surprised when the roll isn’t overpowered by garlic.

It doesn’t take long for our dinner to arrive. John and I dive in and the food is magnificent. It was fresh and everything tasted homemade. When we are done our tummies and taste buds are happy. They do offer a full service bar and they have quite a yummy looking dessert menu that includes cheesecake, Tiramisu, cake, and canolies. We are too stuffed to even think of dessert.

Our waiter was great, the food was divine, and since the price for the two of us was a little over $31, not bad on the budget either. They do have room for private parties. They do have room out on the patio to view the surrounding natural beauty. I and several others with cameras take advantage of it. They are also quite popular since every time we drove by I noticed the patio was full. They are located near the legendary Inn at Lake Lure. So if you have parked there or across the street in general parking, the building is close enough to walk to.

For great food, exceptional service, and breathtaking views make sure you stop while you’re in town. They also have several locations in Charlotte.

At 18 years of age he enlisted on September 15, just a few weeks before he turned 19. The only son of Dixie and Joe, Jacob Adam Mazur enlisted in the U. S. Army. He was in the Junior ROTC in high school and decided to wait on college. He has a sister, Rachel who he calls "Rach".
After enlisting for four years he was sent to Fort Benning for 14 weeks of infantry training, eight weeks basic and 6 weeks of battle drills. At the time, Jake says everything revolved around food. They were not allowed to have watches. Mealtime was their clock. After completing his infantry training, Jake was shipped off to airborne school where he was taught to jump. He proudly let's you know that the maroon beret he wears and his Unit 1 504 PIR maintains their "Strike Hold" badge which originated in World War II. He'll let you know that this "All American Airborne" is a special breed. After two weeks leave, he reported to Fort Bragg.
It was New Years Eve, December 31 when his unit left Pope Air Force base and they were shipped to Baghdad on January 1st!
Baghdad! This was to be Jake's home for 15 months. He was assigned to an AT Platoon (anti-tank) and part of the Delta Company. Now he was loaded down with a lot of body armor. Jake Mazur was part of the war. Over time, he saw a lot. He learned a lot. He grew as a man. He was, over the 15 months, to partake in over 400 combat patrols!
Back home his grandparents, sister, mother and dad worried and prayed, especially his father, Joe. They joined thousands of others who now had a member of their family in Iraq. Joe looked forward to hearing from his son as often as he could. Because of his feelings, Joe began a campaign to collect money to send phone cards to Jake and others serving our country. He sent over $9200 worth of phone cards overseas. Jake will be quick to tell you how much they were appreciated. Now his Dad looks at his son across the table as we interview him with total admiration and a feeling of "tremendous relief". His son is home safe!
As his dad gets up from the table to take care of some business, Jake looks at him and says, "He's my hero." Yes, Jake and his dad are very close.
Jake has seen war. He has seen and assisted the wounded. He has seen death. He is very grateful that his entire platoon all came home safe.
On the lighter side, Jake talks about the kids in Iraq. How they like soccer and ask for soccer balls. They also call out to our soldiers "Mr. Choclata", seeking some chocolate candy. They love our chocolate candy.
Jake says he gave the kids all the candy that his family sent him. He says he also gave them "about everything I owned". He did say that his favorite chewing gum was "Big Red". It helped in the 135º heat . . . especially at night. His favorite candy? M & M Peanuts. At home, his favorite food? Manicotti!
Yes, Jake is back home from the war. He has 15 more months to go. Then he wants to go to college. He is interested in culture, enjoys languages and history. He also wants to write a book. He told me he might even become an archeologist.
As you sit across from this 6 foot 1 inch, 208 pound man, you constantly feel the love he shares with not only his family, but especially his dad, Joe, also at the table.
Jake is now part of our American pride. Joe is so grateful and feels very blessed. His son is home, safely, after 15 months of war. This is definitely a story with a happy ending.

Top Stories                                                                         by M. A. Andrews     maandrews@rutherfordweekly.com at the Rutherford Weekly

2/22/2007 9:09:04 AM
The Story Of Jake's Dad . . .

     He is the only son of Joe and Dixie Mazur. Their only daughter Rachel is a senior at UNCC. His name is Jacob. He's the youngest and just turned 20 years old. All Jake ever wanted to do was join the military. So he did in the fall of 2005. He enlisted in the Army after graduating from East Meckenberg High. Then Army sent Jake to Ft. Benning, Georgia for training. Now, since this past January, Jake is stationed in Iraq. He is a PFC with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Second Battalion 82nd Airborne.
     Just as other parents and families throughout the United States, the Mazur family worries. They are very proud of their son, but still, they worry. The nicest thing that happens to them is when they hear Jake's voice calling from Iraq. Especially Joe, his dad. To him it doesn't happen often enough. Jake will tell his dad, "Somebody's got to do it!" and "Remember, the eyes of the entire world are watching!"
     For Joe, Jake can't call enough. Joe will freely say "I feel a desperate love for him now!" Joe Mazur is so very proud of his son. He waits every day hoping to get a phone call from Jake. Recently, it occurred to Joe that if a phone call from his son has become such an important part of his day, his life, that other families - other dads - must also feel the same way. How about the troops? They too had to love hearing the voices of the folks back home.
     In today's world communications has reached a new level. Fortunately, now there are not only phone cards, but international phone cards. To Joe, the idea of being able to send International Phone Cards to the troops would be a great thing. It would be a wonderful way of supporting the troops and a good morale booster. So, now, Jake's dad, Joe has a campaign to get as many AT&T International Phone Cards for our North Carolina based soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan so they can phone home and talk to their families. Yes, he needs your help. The phone cards cost only $10.00 and are available at Wal-Mart! All cards and money donations will be shipped to the troops. For those who are interested, their donation is also tax deductable. You can send your donation to Joe at LaStrada at Lake Lure, 2693 Memorial Highway, (Hwy9/64), Lake Lure, N. C. 28746 or to Co-Sponsor: Rutherford County Chapter #25, Disabled American Veterans, 564 Terry Road, Ellenboro, North Carolina 28040. Your checks should be make out to: Ruth. Co. DAV-LaStrada Phone Card Drive. Remember, each card cost $10. $100 will buy ten!
     We all know how wonderful it is to hear a loved ones voice on the phone. We call our families and always on those special holidays throughout the year. For Joe Mazur and all our troops, you can make any day a holiday by supporting this great idea.
     Maybe we should invoke a very popular commercial saying of today. For our troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan wouldn't it be great to be able to give them an International Phone Card and let them say to their families: "Can you hear me now?" What a great, caring and loving gift.
     The reason LaStrada Restaurant at Lake Lure is involved is because, Joe Mazur is the General Manager. That is where he spends most of his time - at Jake's grandfather's restaurant. If you choose, you can drop your cards or donation off there.
     This is a simple and inexpensive idea to support the troops and give a great gift to their families. The gift of the "voice of their loved ones" now serving our country in Iraq and Afghanistan. Rutherford County, here is a call for your help! "Can you hear me now?" Let's show Jake and all his military buddies serving our country, that all of us in Rutherford County, North Carolina are proud of them and care!

Patrons at La Strada can enjoy view Carolina mountains while dining on pizza and Italian dishes.
ERIC CONNOR/Staff

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