Roz & Rocco's — Restaurant in Marple Township

I read about Roz and Rocco's on another platform and added it to my list of places to try. I love the back story, that alone, was enough to get me over there. The drive from our area was about 15 minutes. The restaurant is right of off West Chester Pike in a row of other stores, restaurants etc. Parking was easy but it was also a Monday night.

We were greeted immediately by the owner, as soon as our table was set, the main server sat us and gave us a beautiful description and tour of the menu. The bread used for the toasts, appetizers and meals is made fresh daily, Half of the pasta menu is. made with fresh homemade pasta the other half uses dried pasta shipped in from Italy. Though it's a BYO, the server clearly has extensive knowledge in the restaurant industry and of good wines. She was immediately able to speak to the quality of the wine we brought and how it would compliment our meal. They also offer mixers for other spirits you may end up bringing.

We ordered a few apps, a pasta and a desert. The apps were:

1. the fried artichokes with a lemon Parmesan aoli- OMG this was amazing! I suggest eating these while they are still hot...the breading was light and flavorful, the artichokes were dense and fulfilling and the aoli added the perfect amount of added flavor, though, the artichokes were great on their own.
2. the whipped ricotta with honey and fresh grilled bread....wha wha wha what?!?!? This could almost be a desert!!
3. the Vinegar Peppers and Buratta may have been my favorite item of the evening! I could eat this and a salad and call it a day.
4. Lasagna. - this was made with homemade pasta and Sunday sauce. Very good, though I am more of a fish and vegetable type of girl, so I probably won't order again but my husband would!
5. The meatballs - same as the lasagna, delish! just heavy for this light eater
6. Olive Oil Cake - what a perfect way to end our meal...flavorful on it's own but make just a little more perfect with a blueberry compote and whipped cream.

We WILL be back, hoping the fish is on Whole Fish will be available next time :) Thanks for a...

I've written a couple novels ("Sonny's Vendetta" and "Sonny's Revenge") about a South Philly Italian family who own and operate a restaurant, so trust me. I know a thing or two about restaurants and Italian food. In the books, there are references to how to tell if an Italian joint is good or not, and one of those barometers is to order the meatballs.

Some places have very generic meatballs - rubbery, or dry or otherwise disappointing (where you only taste bread and filler instead of meat). Roz & Rocco's are, in a word, FAN-F'ing-TASTIC. They're that good. They're meaty and flavorful and the accompanying gravy is perfect - LITERALLY perfect.

I'd go there just to eat their meatballs. Seriously. But no sane person would stop there.

My wife and I ate the meatballs. We ate the chicken strips. We ate the crispy shrimp (fried in a light and delicious tempura batter). We ate the Caesar-y brussels sprouts which were freaking wonderful. I love brussels sprouts anyway, but this was an interesting and wonderful take on them. We also had the tuna toast, which is simple, light and wonderful. We would have eaten more, but would've needed another stomach or two to do so. The portions are generous.

Everything we saw emerge from the kitchen looked equally terrific, but we were too stuffed to taste it all ... this time.

Take it from a chubby local who knows his way around good Italian food. Get here, and do it soon before you have to wait months to get a reservation.

Oh, and the owners are a young couple who are hands-on, and working the floor, like every good family-owned Italian restaurant SHOULD be operated.

We'll be back, but next time with friends ... and...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Roz & Rocco's, and I must say it was an exquisite experience from start to finish. This charming Italian gem exceeded my expectations in every way, leaving me eager to share my delightful encounter.

The ambiance was warm and inviting, the staff was not only friendly and attentive but also incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, offering great recommendations.

The calamari appetizer was absolutely amazing, perfectly cooked while maintaining the tender juiciness inside. The sauce on top added an extra layer of flavor that made each bite an absolute delight.

For my entree, I went for the Bolognese, and I can confidently say it was one of the best I've ever had. The rich and savory sauce and pasta (made in house), excellent. It was obvious that the chefs at Roz & Rocco's take immense pride in crafting each dish with precision.

The overall dining experience was enhanced by the attentive service, making me feel like a valued guest throughout my visit. Roz & Rocco's is a must-visit. They created a culinary experience that will linger in my memory. I will definitely be returning to indulge in more of their exceptional offerings....