Left: Bill O’Mahony and Wayne Asbury. Right: Chef Kevin Polifrone (Photos Courtesy of Del Rossi's Trattoria)
The sound of guitars once again fills Del Rossi’s Trattoria in Dublin. The historic Italian restaurant, nestled in a Georgian farmhouse on Route 137, has reestablished itself as a dining destination and live music hub for the Monadnock Region.
“It feels like having dinner at home,” says co-owner Bill O’Mahony, who, along with Wayne Asbury, took over the local Italian restaurant in July 2023. Since then, the duo has revitalized the space with a careful balance of preservation and progress, bringing both the menu and the music back to life.
The musical legacy at the restaurant runs deep. Founder David Del Rossi, a musician himself, hosted notable folk acts such as Alison Krauss, Béla Fleck, and J. Geils during the 1980s and ’90s. When the pandemic forced the stage to go dark, Del Rossi worried that the music might fade for good.
Both O’Mahony and Asbury come from performance backgrounds, having worked together at The Well School in Peterborough, where O’Mahony was music director and Asbury was theater director. Their partnership, built on years of collaboration, made for a seamless transition into the world of hospitality.
“When we found Del Rossi’s, we knew it was the right fit,” O’Mahony says. “It already had a rich history with live music, and we just wanted to turn the volume back up.”
Del Rossi enthusiastically endorsed their efforts to revive the restaurant’s musical tradition. He still lives upstairs in the farmhouse and often joins diners downstairs to eat, dance, and enjoy the shows.
“David’s been incredibly supportive,” Asbury says. “He’s like a mentor. He’s there to answer questions, share advice, or just enjoy the music with everyone else.”
Since taking over, Asbury and O’Mahony have focused on balancing innovation with respect for tradition. From upgraded ingredients and modern appliances to subtle décor enhancements, every change was thoughtfully designed to preserve the warmth and character that makes the restaurant a regional destination.
“If we did everything all at once, people would lose their minds,” O’Mahony says. “But the vast majority of our updates have been really well received.”
Bringing back live music has also brought back a sense of community, contributing to a 20% increase in foot traffic since reopening. Local musicians now approach the restaurant to book gigs, and the monthly Open Jam Night has become increasingly popular. “At first, people came for specific acts,” Asbury says. “Now, they come just because they know there’s going to be music.”
A live band on stage at Del Rossi’s Trattoria. (Photos Courtesy of Del Rossi's Trattoria)
“Providing people with great food, craft cocktails, and music creates a specific type of environment,” O’Mahony says. “Come over to our place and just have some fun for the night. I feel like as a human being, that’s just a great thing you can do, so why not translate it over into a business?”
Looking ahead, the team is focused on expansion. Future projects include transforming the on-site 2,500-square-foot barn into a multi-functional event space, featuring a stage, dance floor and versatile seating to accommodate concerts, private events and community gatherings. Additional upgrades include outdoor seating by spring and the introduction of a weekend brunch menu.
“I think Bill and I, with all our interests and talents, whether it be live music or art, it all boils down to community building,” says Asbury. “After a busy night, when you’ve just seen a hundred people come through the door and their day or week is brightened by the experience we gave them, it makes everything worthwhile.” For more information, visit delrossistrattoria.com.
Written by Hazel Armstrong-McEvoy, a student at the University of NH-Manchester and a participant in the Young Reporters’ Project, a joint venture of Business NH Magazine and UNH-Manchester to introduce students to journalism.
