Exclusive First Look: Saint Rocco’s, new “NY Italian” restaurant from restaurateur Phil Romano

 

joe palladino and phil romano

chef jay valley and bob sambol

When Saint Rocco’s opens to the public on September 10 (pushed back from September 8), expect to find a sexy restaurant with a NYC feel all its own. Low ceilings, lipstick red color punches, a bright semi-open kitchen — and probably the coolest outdoor signage of any restaurant in Dallas.

At a VIP sneak last week, co-owner Phil Romano (owner with Joe Palladino of Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse and founder of Eatzi’s. Fuddruckers, Romano’s Macaroni Grill and all of Trinity Groves), St. Rocco’s chef/partner Jay Valley and Trinity Groves guiding force Bob Sambol (founder of Bob’s Steak & Chophouse) were all grins and handshakes. The mayor of Dallas was there. So was Tony Romo, Joe Palladino and Samir Dhurandhar (chef/partner of Nick & Sam’s).

The menu is straight-up casual New York Italian — red sauce, al dente pastas, pizzas, chicken parm, cannoli, pan-fried fish — with a simple wine list to match.

Here’s the tentative menu. Note the last line on it: “If Saint Rocco were here eating with us today, he would say, “Jesus Christ, This Food is Good.'”

3011 Gulden Lane, Suite 100, Dallas, (469) 320-9707