Roostica — Restaurant in Stock Island

In a petite coral-hued building on Stock Island, Roostica Wood-Fire Pizzeria has established itself as a culinary beacon that draws both discerning locals and curious tourists. The restaurant's terracotta exterior, decorated with vibrant bougainvillea and lush greenery, hints at the warm experience awaiting inside.

Upon entering, you're immediately enveloped in a country-chic taverna atmosphere where circular acoustic panels dot the ceiling and wooden tables fill with diners engaged in animated conversation. The open kitchen reveals pizzaiolos performing their craft with practiced precision, transforming simple ingredients into culinary poetry before your eyes.

The menu revolves around authentic Neapolitan pizza, cooked in blazing wood-fired ovens that impart that characteristic charred, bubbly crust that aficionados crave. Each pie emerges with perfectly blistered edges and a center that maintains the delicate balance between structure and suppleness. Toppings are applied with a restrained hand, allowing quality ingredients to speak for themselves.

Beyond their signature pizzas, Roostica offers hearty pasta dishes that shouldn't be overlooked. Their spaghetti and meatballs delivers comfort in its most essential form – robust spheres of seasoned meat nestled in a rich tomato sauce that clings lovingly to al dente pasta. For those seeking protein-forward options, their steak arrives perfectly seared, crowned with caramelized onions and mushrooms, accompanied by seasonal vegetables that retain their vibrant colors and distinct textures.

Appetizers provide delightful preludes to the main event. The rotolos stuffed with mortadella and ricotta offer a textural contrast between crisp exterior and creamy filling, while the burrata mozzarella practically dissolves on the tongue, its richness cut by the acidity of ripe tomatoes and peppery olive oil.

What truly elevates Roostica above merely good to genuinely memorable is the palpable community energy. On a typical evening, the restaurant hums with the satisfied murmurs of patrons and the efficient movements of staff wearing branded shirts, navigating the packed dining room with the ease that comes from experience. The crowd skews local – always the most authentic endorsement of any dining establishment.

Service maintains the delicate balance between attentiveness and allowing diners their space. Water glasses are refilled without interrupting conversation, and recommendations are offered with genuine enthusiasm rather than rehearsed pitches.

The bar program deserves special mention, with an impressive selection of spirits lining the shelves and craft cocktails that complement rather than compete with the food.

In a region where tourist traps abound, Roostica provides something increasingly rare: authenticity. It's a restaurant that would succeed anywhere, operating with the confidence of an establishment that prioritizes substance over style – though it delivers plenty of the latter as well.

For those seeking a true taste of place during their Keys exploration, Roostica offers exactly what a neighborhood restaurant should: quality food served without pretension in surroundings that make you want to linger long after your...

About me: ol' Florida boy, I try to make it down to Key West 2-3 times a year for the good food and good rum.

About them: boy this place does not disappoint, at all! Went with my wife during happy hour, ordered their oven-baked buffalo wings and fried zucchini. The wings were great, they're a lot like Anthony's Pizza wings in South FL, but better. I wish they were a little smaller like Anthonys, next time i'll order them a little more well-done. The zucchini came out a little oily, I'm thinking they should serve slightly smaller chunks (thinner, shorter) so that they fry up better.

We also had the Pizza Diavola (which means devil's pizza), impressive. It's a conventional pepperoni pizza made with their own hot and spicy salami, and finely chopped garlic for an extra kick. I can easily say it's the best pepperoni pizza i've ever had in my life, hands-down. Their dessert menu had like 8 or 9 selections. Nothing seemed particularly appetizing except the tiramisu, to which the bartender replied "good choice". Indeed, it was on the money. I've also got to call that the best tiramisu I've ever had. While it does make me want to revisit a certain Argentinian restaurant on the edge of Coral Gables (the Argentine culture is full of Italian influence) for another taste of their tiramisu, I'm still claiming Roostica has the best.

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5. Smaller wings are a personal preference, but I challenge you to find someone who wants oily fried zucchini. So I'd say that needs work. Here's the other thing: this place is owned by the same owners as Hogfish Bar & Grill (or so they say...). I feel like Hogfish could use an infusion of some of the kinds of things served here. Like vegetables (Hogfish doesn't have any), or desserts (Hogfish has only two). One more thing, get some real rum here. Something dark, aged, that isn't what everyone else has (Zacapa), perhaps some Centenario 20. You have an upscale joint in the rum capital of the US, you should be serving upscale rum. Hogfish too. I can't buy something that...

I asked about gluten free pasta since it was listed. They also have a gluten free pizza crust. When it was brought out I noticed it was not gluten free pasta. The gluten free pasta they have is spaghetti so if you do not see that then you've been given the regular one. If I had not trusted my gut I would've been sick for days and last time I ate gluten I was throwing up for 6 hours. I'm celiac and can't have any form of wheat. Wouldn't have been a fun time. The server didn't bring us silverware or the plates they usually bring and when she brought us drinks she had forgotten to see if the sauce was gluten free that I asked for. All in all she was very friendly but not that attentive. The place was very clean. Tables and restroom. Gets very busy and is small. Definitely no way they couple social distanced through the pandemic. Excellent space in outdoor area.

The food was excellent. The Alfredo sauce is great and the chicken was delicious and tender. I would definitely go there again for the food. But if you are celiac definitely check your food and ask if they brought you the gluten free. Most of us can spot it but maybe some don't and you don't want to end up in the hospital, especially you tourists. Would not make for a good vacation. They quickly took the plate back. Not sure whose error it was but if it was the waitress you'd think I said it 3 times that it would be written in and if it's the chef they need to be more informed about food allergies. Not just a diet for me. The picture I took was of the original pasta which was beautifully done but am posting so you know what not to eat if you have...