September 28, 2015
Rocco: A Grand Steakhouse Opens in NoMad
Rocco Steakhouse, which opened a few weeks ago at 72 Madison Avenue, is poised for success. Owner Rocco Trotta has wisely teamed up with highly experienced people at all levels to provide customers with the finest food and service. Every employee has worked for at least 10 years at a top New York steakhouse, and many are from the acclaimed Wolfgang’s Steakhouse.
Former long-term Wolfgang veterans include: General Manager/Partner Pete Pjetrovic, who for ten years was the general manager of Wolfgang’s; the Beverage Director/Partner Jeff Kolenovic; Executive Chief Johnny Jevric; and Henry Doda, who is Rocco’s headwaiter and sommelier as he was at Wolfgang’s for 10 years.
The restaurant’s design is bright and light, an unusual approach for a steakhouse. David di Angelis, the designer, has created an expansive, modern interpretation of the luxurious steakhouse, with copious mahogany and sweeping expanses of tufted leather. Using generously spaced tables and gold and silver metallic accents, he has created a timeless ambiance. In the main dining room, picture-frame ceiling lighting fixtures bring visual excitement to the room while at the same time helping to modulate the sound level. Behind the main dining room, di Angelis has created a more intimate room with a wall of wines that is perfect for private parties.
While the lunch and dinner menus are what you would expect from a top-tier NYC steakhouse. Fine steak cuts are joined by a broad selection of fish, chicken and veal dishes. There are some items of particular note at Rocco you might want to experience, including the Lobster Mac and Cheese, Apple, Arugula and Pear Salad, Thick Sizzling Canadian Bacon, and the Chilled Seafood Tower, piled high with the freshest oysters, claims on the half shell, steamed lobster, jumbo shrimp and stone crabs. For those of us who love potatoes, Rocco offers five kinds: German, Crisp Roasted, Steak of Cottage Fries, Mashed and Baked .
The bar menu is lighter with a steak sandwich joined by a burger, chicken sandwich, BLT sandwich, and Tuna Tartare or Seafood Crostini. There are salads too, including a Steak or Filet Mignon Salad, Salad Nicoise or Rocco’s Chopped Salad.
The wine list features selections from the U.S., France, Italy, Spain, Australia, Chile, Argentina and Germany, with prices ranging from $45 to $3,895 per bottle.
Rocco Steakhouse
72 Madison Avenue (between 27h and 28th Streets)
New York, NY
(212) 696-9660
http://www.roccosteakhouse.com/