When we last featured Parma Trattoria in July, the focus was on its steady presence in Louisville—a neighborhood Italian restaurant that’s quietly built a loyal following since opening in 2012. Since then, owner Emilio Perna Ruggiero says the exposure helped reinforce something he’s always believed in: trust between a restaurant and its guests matters more than trends.
In recent months, Emilio has been thinking a lot about the growing list of extra fees that diners are seeing added to restaurant checks everywhere—from service charges to kitchen surcharges to administrative add-ons. At Parma Trattoria, his stance is clear and intentional: guests should pay for their meal and leave a real tip—nothing more, nothing hidden.…