We have a plethora of casual Italian restaurants – pizza and pasta houses and red-sauce eateries – that offer a good meal, especially for families. But there is a dearth of fine dining Italian restaurants that serve traditional Italian regional classics in a a more upscale atmosphere suitable for a romantic night out, with fine white tablecloths instead of checkered. Among those few restaurants, Rocco’s Italian Grille & Bar is one of the best.
Owner Rocco Potami is in his 16th year of serving classic Italian cuisine in his Winter Park hideaway spot. The Italy native is a stickler for details and always insists on the finest quality.
Which makes Rocco’s Italian Grille & Bar a great choice for Magical Dining, running this year from Aug. 26 through Oct. 3. Potami has put together a fine representation of his regular menu for the three-course table d’hote. And priced at $40 per person plus tax and gratuity, there are some bargains to be found.

Just choose the Filetto al Gorgonzola for your entree, regularly $42 on the daily menu, and you’re already in the plus column.
Pair it with the Vitello Tonnato starter (reg. $14.95) or the Gamberoni al Gorgonzola ($15) for a blue cheese theme and you can’t go wrong.
Finish with the Cannoli and you have a perfect Rocco’s experience.
And here’s something extra special. You have have wines paired with the selections for $12 a glass.
It’s also nice that Potami himself is almost always on hand and being a congenial host, and his serving staff is always professional and welcoming.
You can see the full Magical Dining menu for Rocco’s Italian Grille & Bar below, and this link will take you to Rocco’s website for more details.
Rocco’s Italian Grille & Bar is at 400 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park (map). It is open for dinner Monday through Saturday. The phone number is 407-644-7770.