Rocco’s Italian Grille has been serving up authentic Italian food for two decades, but owner Rocco Potami says the road to Rocco’s Italian Grille wasn’t always an easy one.
Born and raised in Italy, Potami moved to the U.S. for the opening of EPCOT in 1982 with a one-year contract. “America was a new thing to me … I came here with a contract with Alfredo’s, a restaurant [that was] in the Italy Pavilion.” The spot was known for serving authentic Roman Fettuccine Alfredo, and as Potami notes, serving authentic Italian food is where his passion lies.
Fast forward to 1987, when Potami took the leap to open his own establishment, La Via, in Winter Park. Almost two decades later, in 2006, Rocco’s Italian Grille came to life. “I had other dining establishments before this in malls and airports, but I wanted to get back into fine dining, which is how Rocco’s Italian Grille came about in 2006,” Potami described.
Experience Authentic Italian Cuisine in Winter Park
“We’re dealing with one of the most delicate things, I think. It’s different with people’s palates; they all have different tastes, and you gotta try to find something in between that pleases everybody,” he states. “That’s why I went with different dishes from different regions of Italy.”
On the menu, you can find dishes that many Americans are familiar with, along with plenty of traditional dishes prepared by experienced native chefs.
“Sometimes when people ask, ‘We want marinara sauce,’ and then my staff explains to them what marinara sauce is, they say, ‘That’s not what we want; we want tomato sauce,’ which is tomato, good extra virgin olive oil, onions, basil, salt, and pepper. The ingredients have to be good,” Potami says. “I’ve been working on all that to bring Orlando to the next level when it comes to Italian food.”
During the holidays, Rocco’s Italian Grille serves the Christmas Eve tradition of the Feast of the Seven Fishes, a multi-course seafood meal, and Cotechino with Lentils around the New Year, which is a traditional Italian dish from the Modena and Emilia-Romagna regions, bringing prosperity, health, and richness.
Salute! at Rocco’s Italian Grille
At the heart of the restaurant is a passion for great food and an Italian pride that you can feel when you enter the romantic space.
“When [visitors] come to Rocco’s, I want them to feel like it’s not just another restaurant. We try to welcome them as family,” says Potami. “We have a lot of repeat customers who have been coming to our restaurant for 20 years, so that tells me that we are achieving the thing that I really wanted the most…”
The space also boasts a full bar and a cozy cocktail lounge where you’ll find live music playing Wednesday through Saturday, making it a perfect date night out!
Whether you want familiar favorites or are looking to expand your Italian palate, be sure to bring your appetite for the perfect romantic Italian dining experience in Winter Park.
Salute!
Plan a Romantic Date at Rocco’s Italian Grille
Location: 400 Orlando Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789
Phone number: (407) 644-7770
Hours: Monday – Thursday 5-9 p.m. (kitchen closes at 8:30 p.m.), Friday and Saturday 5-10 p.m. (kitchen closes at 9:30 p.m.)
Reservations are accepted Monday-Thursday until 8:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday until 9:30 p.m.
Sponsored by Rocco’s Italian Grille. All images courtesy of Rocco’s Italian Grille.
