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| - Remaining fair and honest, when reviewing eating establishments throughout the valley, will inevitably bring you to one of those moments like I am experiencing right now.
I do honestly like Rocco's NY Pizzeria, their pizza is good and their pasta is as well, but I must honestly admit that the authentic New York ambiance of Rocco's, with it's decidedly acerbic nature, is the biggest draw for me. Being a native of the Midwest, I will forever remain unaccustomed to rude and impatient New Yorkers - but I love that.
Taking this into account, I am inclined to look favorably on any establishment where I can experience a little east coast attitude. Often times it will play a role in my overall rating of an eatery, as it did in my first review of Rocco's.
Since my initial visit, I have returned a few more times to sample the various wares. It was after these visits that I began to form the theory above, as I realized that the food is not great, but in fact, just good.
On my most recent visit I ordered the rigatoni with sausage, mushrooms and what was supposed to be hot cherry peppers. What I got was a sloppily presented carton of rigatoni with the sausage, mushrooms and peppers decidedly bunched together in one large clump - oh, and with jalapenos, not cherry peppers. The sauce was okay, but not extraordinary and certainly not enough to distract from the presentation.
Don't get me wrong, I understand that Rocco's focus is more toward convenience than elegance, but I can never excuse sloppiness in presentation. It doesn't need frills, but a little dried Italian herb sprinkling with some parmesan would at least make the meal look appetizing.
Rocco's offers typical, convenient and good Italian dishes that you would expect from a New York Style deli, but that's only going to get them a 3 star rating.
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