Inside Look: Rocco’s Italian Grille in Winter Park

Rocco’s Italian Grille, is a charming, romantic and intimate Italian restaurant located inside a vintage 1940’s building in Winter Park right on US 17/92. The neighborhood has changed some since the opening of Rocco’s in the 2000s, but one thing has not changed – the consistency of Rocco’s Italian cuisine.

For the past 13 years, Rocco’s proudly serves authentic Italian cuisine prepared by their experienced native chefs. They have a full bar and a cozy cocktail lounge where you’ll find wines ranging from Aglianico to Zinfandel. You’ll also find live music playing Thursday through Saturday from 7:30pm to 10:30pm.

Proprietor Rocco Potami, born and raised in Italy and with a lifelong passion for cooking, has spent years recreating the recipes of his homeland. Mr. Potami has almost 40 years of experience cooking in Central Florida. In 1982, the opening of Disney’s EPCOT called him down from Montreal to work with Chris Christini at L’Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante in the Italy Pavilion.

Using only the freshest meats, imported pastas and sauces made from scratch, they serve a broad selection of dishes from each of Italy’s regions that recreate old favorites and brings out new flavors.

We were recently invited to try out some of their classic as well as special dishes of the day.

Begin the meal with freshly baked bread…

Fresh bread with garlic and rosemary olive oil. A really great starter courtesy of Rocco’s.

As an appetizer, try the gorgeous Gamberoni Al Gorgonzola, a shrimp dish flambéed with a Vecchia Romagna Brandy and finished in a Gorgonzola cheese reduction.

GAMBERONI AL GORGONZOLA Shrimp flambéed with a Vecchia Romagna Brandy and finished in a Gorgonzola cheese reduction.

This dish was delicious – juicy shrimp paired well with the Gorgonzola cheese reduction over fresh bread.

GNOCCHI AL LATRENTINA

Simple yet super fresh – this homemade ricotta gnocchi is tossed with speck, imported mix of wild mushrooms and an aurora tomato based sauce.

FILET MIGNON
If you enjoy steak, Rocco’s filet mignon is among the best in Orlando – served with Peppercorn sauce, potato wedges, and green beans. This was the special of the day, but it really should be on the permanent menu.

End your meal with La Bomba – a specialty dessert that will wow your eyes and your taste buds.

LA BOMBA A fun and sweet dessert to end a wonderful meal – La Bomba is a chocolate and vanilla gelato with a cherry and almond center coated in chocolate.

Rocco’s Italian Grille is a hidden treasure that offers comfortable atmosphere, scrumptious food and first-class service. Be sure to check them out the next time you are in the Winter Park area!