A Shore Thing – Café Rossetti’s Recognized by Travel and Leisure Magazine

By Cary Shuman

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Some call Café Rossetti’s on Winthrop Shore Drive the best kept secret on the North Shore.

But the word is now officially out because owners and chefs Bob and Steve Rossetti are basking in the glow of receiving national recognition from Travel and Leisure Magazine for having one of the best BYOB restaurants in the United States.

Bob Rossetti said when he first heard that his restaurant was under consideration for the award, he thought it was a Greater Boston-only survey.

“After all was said and done, the magazine article (travelandleisure.com) recognized ‘America’s Best BYOB Restaurants,” said Rossetti. “It recognized 13 similar type restaurants in the country and we were quite honored to be recognized in such a prestigious magazine. To see your name and the town you’re working in, under the heading ‘America’s Best,’ it’s quite flattering for the two of us.”

The Rossetti brothers are in their seventh year of owning and operating the popular restaurant. They previously operated Rossetti’s in Revere for 28 years.

What no doubt captured the eye of the magazine editors was Café Rossetti’s ambience and location, and certainly the great food at a great value.

Bob Rossetti was asked what dish he considers the most popular choice of dinners.

“A lot of our specials are off the charts,” he says with more pride than boastfulness. “Tonight it’s our Mediterranean cod, our Chilean sea bass, our 16-ounce center cut porked chops which we do with a vinegar peppered, roasted pepper demi-glazed sauce; or steak mafiosa,” said Rossetti.

The traditional chicken marsala dishes also impressed the magazine editors.

And as one restaurant critic wrote, “The appetizers are to die for.” The most famous selections are the asparagus platter, soft shell crab, and in season, figs wrapped in prosciutto with goat cheeses.

The news of the Rossetti brothers’ award is just starting to leak out. Several customers have stopped by to offer their congratulations. Both television food shows, the Phantom Gourmet and TV Diner, have paid visits to Café Rossetti’s and given it rave reviews.

“We’ve been fortunate enough to have some of these awards start happening for us,” said Rossetti.

“We’re very proud,” added Steve Rossetti.

Bob Rossetti said he’s grateful to Winthrop residents for their support and patronage of the family’s restaurant. Former Bruins great Bobby Orr, restaurateur Roger Berkowitz, and noted attorney F. Lee Bailey have all dined at the restaurant.

How did the Rossetti brothers attain culinary excellence?

“I think I inherited my mother’s touch and hands in the kitchen,” said Bob Rossetti. “We both basically grew up working at my cousin’s restaurant, Nardizzi’s in Chelsea and Revere. I learned everything about the industry there, from dish washing all the way up to managing.”

And now the Rossetti boys are on top of their game, named one of the best BYOB restaurants in the country.