Rocco’s Of Roc Beach Coal Oven Pizza — Restaurant in New York

We approached what seemed to be a nice italian restaurant , asked the hostess for a table for 2 , we were then walked through this wierd alleyway (see image) which looked and felt shady . It lead us to the outdoor seating of the restaurant, which made us think, why didnt we just walk through the restaurant into the outdoor seating? ( keep in mind we did not specifically ask for outdoors seating, but the hostess just decided to seat us there, not that we mind but it was just wierd since there was loads of tables available inside and we were THE ONLY couple outside) . Before being left in the outdoor seating , the hostess gave us the option wether we wanted a picnic table or a table with chairs… both those options were similarly dusty , not cleaned and not set up for guests since that whole area looked like it was just a backyard where they kept their storage, kitchen prep area..etc.

Our picnic table had bird poop on it and it was super dusty(refer to image) , several minutes later the waitress came , she was nice , we got water, drinks and placed our order which consisted of fried calamari as an appetiser, and chicken cutlet with gnocchi and vodka sauce( refer to receipt)

The Calamari came out 40 minutes later , room temperature, chewy.. with a side of cold marinara… the whole time we were waiting we were getting wierd looks from all the wait and kitchen staff walking in and out to the backyard because we were sitting in what it seemed like it was their smoke break area. We were about to walk away but we stayed there because it was too comical at this point.

The main came out after a while …. ( our table was not set up, was not cleaned we couldnt even put our silverware on the table since it was so dusty/dirty) The main was a decent portion of a chicken cutlet topped with a cheesy vodka sauce with gnocchis , the meal was room temperature, tasted like it was microwaved.

At this point it was soo bad it was funny , we asked for the bill, and the cutlet dish was $42 , and I had to check back the menu again , funny enough that dish was not on there however there was an identical dish on the menu without the gnocchi for $26, now gnocchi is basically potatoes and flour.. and it wasnt a massive portion.. now I dont see how a small amount of gnocchi would be an extra $16 .( PS: the main dish was recommended to us by the busboy who got us water , claimed he “gets it all the time”, now , no offence , but how would a busboy be able to afford a $42 dish all the time?! ) When inquired about the menu and the dish we ordered, everyone kept saying it was “ a special” which still does not justify the price. And as far as I know specials are supposed to be good deals, and tasty ones, not the opposite.

Notes that were not mentioned: hostess said she didnt even know they had an outdoor seating ( manager asked her to take us back there) When inquired about pizza slices that was on a sign in the outdoor area, waitress said they dont do that and she never saw that sign before. Suggested tips were 20% to 25% No table set ups of salt, pepper, chii flakes ( same as indoors) Another table sat 15 mins after we did and got their food the same...

I wasn’t going to leave a second review, but after seeing how Rocco’s staff responded to my friend’s review with lies, I wanted to provide some receipts. For context, we were the group of 5 who came for an early dinner on 6/30.

The first picture was taken when we were getting off the ferry, ~3:40pm. We actually saw the sign for Rocco’s on the walk to the beach (Rocco’s AT THE BEACH was what it said—so, unrelated to the dinner per se, but it’s weird how classist the staff is in their various responses about folks who come from the beach but don’t meet their dress code. Why are you advertising your restaurant on the beach path if you don’t want beach patrons?)

The second picture is around ~4:40, where you can see four pizzas in frame, mostly uneaten. We ordered the four pizzas (and one eggplant dish) because we were told they were personal, but as you can see, the portions were large (and also their menu had advertised 18”, but they said only 12”, so we ordered enough for the folks who wanted pizza to have their own). Given the time between the ferry, the 10 minutes to the beach, the 9 minutes to Rocco’s, and the minutes they took to seat us and for us to order, it seems like we probably ordered around 4/4:15pm. This makes sense based on the time of the photo and the amount of pizza uneaten.

After eating as much as we could, the server came to up-sell their cookies—we agreed to purchase one plate for $20. We mentioned it was about to storm, so we were going to hang for a few minutes. The server, Lauren, said it was fine.

A few minutes later, the hostess came to our table and said if we weren’t going to order anything else, we needed to leave. She said she was fine with us waiting if it was raining, but it wasn’t raining at that moment, so we needed to leave. We THEN asked for the check. Minutes later, Lauren dropped it off and also brought a bag for the pizzas. It’s weird that the response mentions we had already paid, when we asked the staff for our bill. By the time they processed the check, the rain was coming down extremely hard, which was obvious as the rain was hitting the windows they had closed for storm by their bar.

The final photo of the plastic animals was taken at the discount store on the corner of Beach 116th and Rockaway Beach around ~5:20pm. We went in to buy umbrellas during the storm and the staff graciously let us, as well as other folks on the street, wait inside for the rain to slow.

I’m not sure where the claims of “hanging out” for three plus hours are from, but we were sitting at two tables pushed together for a table of 5 from earliest 4pm until a max time of 5:30, after ordering four pizzas, one eggplant dish, and a tray of cookies. We received no free limoncello shots. There was apparently another group of 5 that needed our two tables, despite the other two empty four-tops behind us and various other empty tables. They knew our intentions to leave once the storm calmed down, so I’m not sure why we were rushed out so quickly. I won’t claim to know how this restaurant is run, but I wouldn’t recommend folks, especially racialized folks,...

When it comes to authentic Italian cuisine and warm hospitality, Rocco's on The Roc is an absolute gem! My recent dining experience at this Italian restaurant left me speechless and eager to return. From the moment I stepped in, the inviting ambiance and attentive staff set the tone for a memorable evening. As a true food enthusiast, I had heard rave reviews about Rocco's signature dish, the Short Ribs, and I knew I had to try it. To say that the Short Ribs lived up to the hype would be an understatement. These tender and succulent ribs were slow-cooked to perfection, infusing them with layers of rich flavors that melted in my mouth with every bite. Accompanied by a velvety risotto and a side of perfectly al dente pasta, this dish surpassed all my expectations. The rest of the menu at Rocco's is equally impressive, showcasing a well-balanced selection of classic Italian dishes and innovative creations. I started with the Caprese Salad, which was a delightful mix of fresh buffalo mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, and fragrant basil drizzled with a balsamic reduction. It was a refreshing prelude to the decadent Short Ribs that followed. The service at Rocco's is impeccable, and the attentive staff made me feel like a cherished guest throughout the entire evening. From their insightful recommendations to their genuine passion for the cuisine they serve, the staff's dedication further enhanced the dining experience. The ambiance at Rocco's is warm and inviting, with dim lighting that creates an intimate and relaxed setting. The cozy dining area exudes an authentic Italian charm, making it the perfect spot for a romantic date night or a memorable gathering with friends and family. In addition to the exquisite cuisine, Rocco's wine selection offers an impressive array of Italian and international wines, thoughtfully curated to complement the flavors of their dishes. To sum it up, Rocco's on The Roc is a culinary haven for anyone seeking an extraordinary Italian dining experience. I wholeheartedly recommend indulging in their divine Short Ribs, but do not stop there – the entire menu is a journey of taste and culture that will leave you yearning for more. Whether you are a local or a visitor to the area, Rocco's on The Roc is a must-visit destination for Italian food enthusiasts. I cannot wait to return to savor their culinary...