Rocco’s Italian Bistro — Restaurant in Victoria

First time we went there a month ago, I thought, how wonderful! Perhaps this place “gets it.” Charming Italian music playing set a lovely atmosphere. Every pasta dish seems to be a la carte. They need dinner specials with a salad and dessert included. With the prices they charge for a generous spaghetti, people will pay a bit extra to have a more complete Italian dinner. I left it.

The spaghetti and meatballs were fine, really pretty good but not served very hot? No parmesan was offered? Big miss. Meatballs and marinara were lacking in seasoning. If real garlic or oregano were in the recipes, it was very little. Add some basil, oregano and garlic and its a winner. Fairly salty. Bread, as others have stated, was dry to stale. Very poor quality. No butter was even offered? I don’t understand why you continue to serve this bread?

Second trip was tonite. Loud MEXICAN language music playing? Tacky and ruined atmosphere. Other customers were shaking their head too. Service was real quick and they act as if they want you served, paid and quickly gone. This is not the mood of a cozy Italian restaurant. Lasagna was awful, microwaved to an unappetizing goo. Terribly salty, pasta was pieces of dark brown pasta I think, it looked like they used old overcooked pasta and the meat was like a gray puree -it was gross. I left most of it. Even a TV dinner lasagna would be better quality.

When we left, I quietly told the waiters at front that the Caesar dressing was sweet and not Caesar dressing at all, that somebody who eats a Caesar salad needs to taste it and if they did, they would never serve it again. We won’t be back. We told the waiter about the dressing only. I realized if sonebody coukd really serve that terrible microwaved to death lasagna, there is no use saying a thing. I hope so much they will do better but with their prices, I...

My husband and I went for Mother’s Day dinner. We were greeted the moment we walked in the door. We were told there wld be a 20 minute wait. ( Which was fine). We were seated and greeted by a very pleasant server by the name of Sydney. Even though y’all were very busy she was amazing. So attentive and polite. In watching all the staff I was very impressed by the way everyone was helping each other. Very good team work on a very busy evening. ( there was only one server that appeared to be frustrated and it showed. I saw her kick a chair out of what appeared to be frustration by the bar area. She knew I saw her . I was thankful she was not our server.). When we left I asked to speak to the manager which also was a very pleasant young lady that I observed serving tables and didn’t even know she was a manager. Again I appreciated all the team work that was shown. I know they would have rather been off spending time w family but they were there serving us with smiles on their faces. I am sure they are worn out and will not get home until late due to once everyone leaves their job is not over with. But I am sure they will each pitch in to help each other. We will be back. ...

I had never heard of this place until a group of my friends mentioned it. The overall look feels a little sterile and dark. Having a large group of over 20+ people I wasn't expecting very good service, because it can be hard to get anything out quickly. However they were quick and bread baskets were provided. You can order the seasoned oil to dip it into. The food came out promptly and the waitress was very sweet. The pizzas look authentic to a true Italian pizza and less like the pizza you find at chains which is great.

I ended up getting a pasta dish of chicken Alfredo. They were extremely generous with the chicken and it was delicious. The sauce was a bit disappointing as was the pasta. (This is more personal preference, as I don't like cut pasta and the Alfredo had the taste of imitation butter to me.) My husband got a calzone and unfortunately it was undercooked and cold. They quickly remade it but unfortunately the ricotta inside was still refrigerator cold. The manager took it off and offered another meal on the house.

Though I might not come back for a pasta dish, I may come back for the pizza as all those who got one were...