There are restaurants you go to because they’re convenient. And then there are restaurants you plan your whole evening around. Rosalie’s Cucina is firmly in the second category — and has been for over 25 years.
The story behind Rosalie’s is as warm as the food itself. Philip Romano — a renowned restaurateur — built the restaurant in 1995 as a labour of love for his sister Rosalie. He designed it in authentic Tuscan style, complete with a bocce ball court, a vineyard, and an herb garden tended by the chefs. Today, Executive Chef Marc Albino owns and operates it. Furthermore, he has kept the spirit of the place very much alive while earning recognition in publications and a spot on national television’s “Dining Around.”
The menu is classic Italian done with real commitment. The kitchen makes all pastas — ravioli, pappardelle, and gnocchi — entirely in house. The chefs slow-cook the tomato sauces the way your grandmother wished she had time for. Crowd favourites like Veal Marsala, Veal Piccata, and the Scampi Alla Rosalie keep regulars coming back season after season. Portions are also the kind of generous that makes you glad you didn’t fill up on bread. Additionally, the kitchen serves food family style, which makes the whole meal feel like exactly that — a family dinner, just one where the cooking is exceptional.
The setting does a lot of the heavy lifting too. The Tuscan-style building has a warmth and character that’s genuinely rare. Moreover, the atmosphere — noisy in the best way, full of people clearly having a good time — makes it feel like somewhere special without being the least bit stuffy.
Rosalie’s is at 841 West Genesee Street Road, a short drive from the village centre. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday from 5pm. Last seatings are at 8:30pm on weekdays and 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Reservations are strongly recommended — this one fills up fast and for good reason.
Looking for the perfect base to explore everything Skaneateles has to offer? Our vacation rental The Cattails puts it all within reach — browse, eat, and explore at your own pace.