| What a thrill it is to be
surprised by a neighborhood restaurant. It's one
thing to go to a top notch place and get
superior or nearly superior cooking, it's much
more gratifying to be rewarded with
unpretentious yet flawless food in a
neighborhood haunt.
Chef Don Dial and his homey crew at
Rocco's Cafe are serving up some of the most
satisfying, deeply flavored and richly textured
Italian style comfort food I've ever tasted. And
you can do the Rocco dinner thing for two for
$45 including beer or wine.
Don does it all; working 60-70 hours a
week, cooking stocks and doing the buying,
grilling breakfast for the regulars, some of
whom eat here every single day, and preparing a
relentless slew of lunch plates for the
fortunate local workers who jam this place on
weekdays from 11-2. Now in his forties, he's been chef-owner
at this location for over 15 years. Master of
his own universe--he's a third generation S.F.
practitioner of craft--he aspires to
more.
The atmosphere at Rocco's Cafe is as
casual and relaxed as you could imagine. The
staff is professional and courteous, knowing the
ins and outs of Don's food, making you feel just
as welcome on your first as on your 40th
visit.
This is South of Market's best-kept
secret. This guy is cranking out food with a
depth of flavor, attention to detail, and
respect for the freshness of his ingredients
that rivals the great chefs of the Bay Area.
When you go, and you must go at once for you'll
eagerly return, hone right in on the
Specials.
| Hot and earthy Split Pea
Soup; Gnocchi
al Pesto ($10.95):
perfect potato
pillows in
a pesto sauce
showing no
signs of separation
between the
basil, garlic,
and olive
oil; Baked
Lamb Chops
($14.95):
in a tomato-mushroom
gravy so tasty
it felt like
a year's worth
of stock reductions
must have
gone into
it; and Mom's
homemade Blackberry
Pie.
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Lunch Specials vary, often featuring a
Soup and Polenta
Combo ($10.95),
hearty Soup and
Pasta ($9.95) or
Swiss Steak w/ Veggies
($12.95). Try a
Half Pasta, Half
Sautéed Veggie plate
for a healthful
and thoroughly satisfying
meal.
Breakfast is among the best around. Real
Italian sausages sizzle alongside perfectly
cooked eggs and crusty sourdough toast. Espresso
drinks round it all out.
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