About La Spiaggia Ristorante
Family-owned La Spiaggia Ristorante, located in the heart of Ocean Shores, WA, serves traditional Italian cuisine made from scratch in a cozy, intimate setting. We believe excellent ingredients speak for themselves and use the highest quality ingredients available, and make all our sauces, dressings, desserts, and focaccia in-house. Our highly-rated menu changes seasonally and includes local favorites like house-made Gnocchi, Spinach and Ricotta Rotoli, Tiramisu, and Imported Wines that pair perfectly with our meals.
We make all our desserts in-house, and our rotating dessert menu may include tiramisu, panna cotta, cheesecake, and specialty cakes like Black Forest and Italian Cream. We have a full bar and offer traditional and specialty cocktails using only fresh juices. We have house-made Limoncello and Orangecello, an Italian liqueur made from citrus zest. And last but not least, some of our guest favorites, Italian Soda and Espresso.
La Spiaggia brings the best of Italy to Ocean Shores with attentive service, where delicious food and warm hospitality come together to create an elevated casual dining experience.
Our Story
Doug and Rhonda Cox are the proprietors of La Spiaggia Ristorante, an idea born from a dinner party that set the stage for their restaurant. When covid hit and all the restaurants were closed, the Cox’s started baking and cooking many different cuisines at home and would invite friends and family over for themed dinners. Doug would put together a 20-course meal, and Rhonda would come up with the decor and plating and choose the wine to pair with each meal.
The first theme was "weird dishes" that possibly no one had tried. Doug created dishes with caviar, escargot, bone marrow, and beef tartare. Everyone LOVED all the dishes—even his buddy Chris, a "chicken strips and fries" kind of guy.
The next theme was Italian food, where they made homemade limoncello, pancetta, and mozzarella. The Italian wines Rhonda chose paired perfectly, and it was a huge success! Everything was made in-house with fresh ingredients and from scratch.
Inspired by this meal and with over 50 years of restaurant experience combined, the Cox’s decided to chase their dreams and open La Spiaggia Ristorante in Ocean Shores, WA. They were no strangers to the restaurant business, Doug is a classically trained chef, and they have done everything from dishwashing, bussing, hostessing, serving, bartending, cooking, and managing.
The Cox’s have put a lot of time into remodeling the home of La Spiaggia Ristorante. They have created a functional, clean, charming, and cozy restaurant. It has vaulted ceilings and Italian decor given to them by guests who have become "regulars" and part of the La Spiaggia Family. The fresh flowers and flameless candles on the tables add to the ambiance and charm of the space.
When not at La Spiaggia, the Cox’s are busy with their children, ages 5 and 6, who stay active with swim lessons at the YMCA and dance at Grays Harbor Dance Academy. They also have a 9-year-old rescue dog named Lina, who they adore, and two new kittens, Sparkles and Tag.
Our Team
When the Coxs decided to get into this adventure, they told their dear friend Terri Bullert. Her immediate response was, "Well if you are going to Ocean Shores, I'm going to Ocean Shores." She packed up all her belongings in Seattle and moved to help Doug and Rhonda start their dream. They could not have done it without her!
Most of the La Spiaggia team has been with them since opening day. The Coxs cultivate a kind environment where all team members take pride in their work. The team believes in creating a dining experience that encourages guests to slow down their hectic day and immerse themselves in delicious food and attentive service. We try to learn everyone's names and about our guests because we genuinely care.
Community
Amo La Spiaggia! (I love the beach!) Ocean Shores has always had a place in the Cox's hearts, and they couldn't think of a better place to raise their two children and start a restaurant. They love being part of the community, and you shouldn't be surprised to see Doug happily grinning behind 50 gallons of his homemade clam chowder as he hands out samples during the Razor Clam Festival. This year, they decorated a table as the Champagne Toast Sponsor at the Greater Grays Harbor Inc Leadership Dinner. They donate gift certificates to various non-profit organizations for raffles and events. La Spiaggia offers a Drink of the Month, and the proceeds go to different charities in Grays Harbor. So far, the Cox family has given to North Beach Paws, Youth Works, and Ocean Shores Food Banks. Doug and Rhonda will continue to give back to the community because they feel it is important and are blessed to be part of this beautiful community on the Washington Coast.
