A flip through any old Webster’s Dictionary can be informative and interesting. Take for example, the words, “good,” “pizza” and “restaurant.” Separately they mean different things.
The dictionary lists several definitions for “good.” The one that stands out is, “excellent of its kind.” Webster’s defines pizza as, “an Italian dish made by baking a thin layer of dough covered with a special preparation of tomatoes, cheese etc.” Finally, the word “restaurant” yields an explanation of, “a place where meals can be bought and eaten.”
If the dictionary listed a definition for the combination of the three words, it would say something like, “see Rossino’s. Located at 206 N. Sarah, between Lindell Boulevard and Laclede Avenue, in the basement.”
Rossino’s has been an established pizzeria serving Saint Louis University eaters since 1954. Not only famous for its pizza, Rossino’s also has a unique and memorable atmosphere.
The first thing that hits the eyes when entering the restaurant is the darkness of the place.
The only light in the dimly lit restaurant comes from candles on the tables. After seating oneself at the table a quick glance around will amaze and entertain, even if your present company doesn’t. Adorning the walls is a mixed matched smorgasbord of pictures, antique books and many other trinkets. The scenery is worthy of hours of investigating.
But the goal of any trip to Rossino’s should be the pizza ($9.75).
The restaurant carries on the fine tradition of St. Louis-style pizza with a thin, cracker like crust. Webster’s defines pizza as having a thin layer of dough so, for all you out-of-towners, if Webster says pizza is supposed to be thin, it’s supposed to be thin.
Rossino’s offers more than 20 toppings, all so you can create your own exquisite delight.
For those who decide against creativity, ready-designed deluxe and vegetarian pizzas are available. Honestly, what beats crisp crust, flavorful tomato sauce, stringy cheese and all those other flavorful toppings?
Besides the almighty pizza, Rossino’s offers a wide selection of salads, sandwiches, pastas and entrees. The salad department includes a chicken Caesar salad ($6.50), an Italian chef salad ($4.50) and a dinner salad ($2.95), which makes a great accompaniment to the pizza without filling you up. The salad consists of iceberg lettuce, red onion, choice of dressing and green olives, which add a fresh kick.
Rossino’s makes choosing dinner incredibly hard because of the many great dishes that they serve.
Just a rundown of the pasta dishes, sandwiches and entrees could take up a full page but a few highlights include the pasta con broccoli ($6.50), the fettuccine Russo ($6.95) with chicken and mushrooms, the eggplant parmigiano ($5.95) and the Italian sausage and cheese ($6.25). The sandwiches come with a side of spaghetti or french fries.
Due to its incredible flavor, Nana Russo’s chicken ($13.95) needs its own explanation. The entree starts with a boneless breast of chicken, topped with a white wine mushroom sauce, Canadian bacon and provolone cheese.
What makes the dish special is the mix of tender and moist chicken with crusty cheese. A dinner salad and french fries or spaghetti escort the meal.
The service at Rossino’s ranges from average to slightly above the norm.
The waiters and waitresses gave a solid performance but some things such as refills on tea and water could have come faster, considering it was not busy at the time.
Rossino’s accepts reservation for parties of seven people or more, other than that its first-come, first-served. All major credit cards, the friends of students everywhere, are gladly accepted. Full bar and wine lists are on hand.
The many years of existence are the best argument for a visit to Rossino’s. With the constant opening and closing of new restaurants, a restaurant must be special if they have been around for almost 50 years. On the many visits to the eatery, I have always walked away stuffed, satisfied and content.
Okay, maybe a little too stuffed and a tad too satisfied.
