Cafe Valenciano Restaurant — Restaurant in Winthrop

Went there several times pre-covid. It was a great little BYOB find and the food at the time was fantastic. We returned as many of the current reviews seemed to echo our experiences pre-covid. The setting needs a major redo but it is across from the beach so I guess they think they can ignore the interior. Wasn't the cleanest place I've ever seen. The waitress was a hard worker and very sweet. We had made a reservation and wondered why there were only a few people in the restaurant on a Sunday at 4 p.m. (normally, the line would be down the street--warning signal?). We ordered an asparagus and proscuitto appetizer (proscuitto wrapped around asparagus). Nice presentation BUT much of the proscuitto was stale. We told the wait staff and she asked if we wanted something else. She said the proscuitto was freshly sliced (highly doubtful). We said no, but we did pay for it. We tried bites of two other pieces, one stale (i.e., not fresh), another barely passable. We pushed that aside as this was looking good. Meal arrived. Veal marsala, barely luke warm, and half of the pasta was stone cold, the remainder was luke warm. So weird. Other dish arrived and it looked steamy...it was a fruitti de mar BUT the mussels and clams were overcooked (dry and rubbery), stuck to the shells, ugh. Very pricey for a pitiful experience. I doubt we will ever return as there as so many other wonderful restaurants to visit in the area. Very...

I'm not given to hyperbole or superlatives, but this delightfully unpretentious family run restaurant serves absolutely superb food. I had linguini with littlenecks... sounds pretty mundane, no? Well, this was the best pasta and clams with white sauce that I've ever had. I tried four of the entrees at our table and each of them was delicious. Staff is friendly and relaxed, helpful, knowledgeable about the menu and cuisine, and they clearly care about the restaurant and the customer.

Two points to note:

1. This is a bring your own bottle place. Bring your favorite wine and the staff will gladly serve it graciously.

2. Cafe Rosetti's is no longer a local secret. It's not a secret at all. it's very popular, and rightfully so, so make a reservation.

This gem of a place is well worth the short trip from Boston to the shore. They have a great view of the wide beach across the street.

I can't think of even a mild criticism of Rosetti's, which is not like me. I must be...

Idk man. I like this place. The food is good. But let me tell you about a time. Made a reservation for 6pm. Then waited an extra 20 minutes to get the table we wanted, which is on us. The host was ok with it too. But then during dinner at the table we wanted and waited an extra 20 minutes for the host asks us to move to accommodate a party of 6. To note, this table was for four. We were seated and ordered already. Also there was a 4 seat table open, and an 8 person table open. Of course not making waves (get it, the place is next to a beach), we moved. This still bothers me two weeks later. Enough that I write this review. Last but not least, the waitress spilled clam sauce from another diners plate on my lap and stained my shorts. Not the best experience.

Also, if your thinking about going around the corner to D’Parma’s, it’s pretty much the experience over there. So there...