My go to spot for pizza (fave Is the white) and also enjoy the rice balls (huge!) With a side of sauce. Easily spilt among 2. Their homemade mozzarella is delicious; my favorite way to savor it is on a sandwich with roasted peppers basil and sundried tomato. Clean fresh taste party in my mouth. The antipasto platter is a great addition to your favorite pie. Dad enjoys fresh smoked mozzarella and I buy it as a treat for him, since while I'll pull fresh mozzarella a couple times a year during holidays, smoked is outside my realm of expertise.
My family and friends enjoy the regular pie well done and a variety of sandwich specials and dinner items. Stand outs have been chicken Marsala, pasta dishes and many others we've tried in 9 years patronage. We've made a small army of fans out of friends and by word of mouth.
Some of the items others have referred to as decorative and unnecessary have been great finds for a transplanted NY girl: Ronzoni Pastina to make chicken soup with egg and escarole like Nona made. Cavatelli in the frozen section is my go to pasta for when I make Vongole con cavatelli bianco (white.clam sauce that allows the bivalves to sneak into tubular pasta = mangia) the homemade sausage is a hit with the fam as well. It is by no means a fancy dining room, the star here is the food.
On several occasions I've ordered custom to go platters for office parties or to show clients what real Italian tastes like from the standpoint of a second generation L'American. They fill cannoli to order and carry a variety of cookies, gelato in pre packed pints and fresh zeppoles (fried pizza dough, in a paper bag with confectioner's sugar) During the holidays, be sure to order cannoli and cookie platters early; they even make honey balls (strufoli)
The Italian ices, sauces to go and NY Daily News to read only add to the authentic vibe. For all of the people who complain about waiting: call ahead. Quality takes time. And quality is what Rocco's through owner changes and many years, has delivered without fail over the years.
4.5 stars