Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Latest News
    • Wild Rivers Waterpark Opens May 17
    • Winter Fest OC Opens November 22
    • Winter Fest OC 2024
    • Clay Walker with Matt Stell at Great Park Live
    • Parlor San Clemente
    • Irvine Nights Returns
    • Winter Fest OC Returns for 10th Anniversary!
    • World Famous Canton
    X (Twitter) Facebook Pinterest
    SouthCoast Magazine
    • Explore SC
      1. Arts & Culture
      2. Beaches & Parks
      3. Concerts
      4. Family Adventures
      5. Lifestyle
      6. Music
      7. Resorts & Venues
      8. Theater
      Featured
      June 3, 20240

      Timeless Elegance and Attention to Detail

      Recent
      May 13, 2025

      Wild Rivers Waterpark Opens May 17

      November 18, 2024

      Winter Fest OC Opens November 22

      November 1, 2024

      Winter Fest OC 2024

    • Dining
      1. American
      2. Cafes
      3. French
      4. Italian
      5. Japanese/Thai
      6. Mexican
      7. On the Water
      8. Recipes
      9. Reviews
      Featured
      March 30, 20220

      Rancho Capistrano Winery

      Recent
      August 26, 2024

      Parlor San Clemente

      March 11, 2024

      Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse

      February 28, 2024

      Cabo San Lucas ~ Adventure Awaits You

    • Travel
      1. Arizona
      2. Baja California
      3. Lake Tahoe
      4. Northern California
      5. Southern California
      6. Spain
      7. Texas
      Featured
      September 20, 20230

      Hotel Vin

      Recent
      September 20, 2023

      Hotel Vin

      May 21, 2023

      Dallas

      March 28, 2023

      Resort at Squaw Creek

    • Local Biz
      1. Automotive
      2. Beauty & Spa
      3. Community Outreach
      4. Featured Businesses
      5. LASIK & Ophthalmology
      6. Law Firms
      7. Political News
      8. Private Schools
      9. Up Close
      Featured
      September 13, 20220

      America’s Socio-Political Artist Fatima Franks is Making Waves

      Recent
      August 26, 2024

      Parlor San Clemente

      September 13, 2022

      America’s Socio-Political Artist Fatima Franks is Making Waves

      July 7, 2022

      OC’s Pakistani-American Artist Fatima Franks

    • Wellness
      1. Ask the Doctor
      2. Dentistry
      3. LASIK & Ophthalmology
      4. Life Insurance
      5. Medical News
      6. Personal Enrichment
      7. Personal Training
      8. Women’s Health
      Featured
      March 31, 20210

      Sculptique Aesthetics™

      Recent
      March 31, 2021

      Sculptique Aesthetics™

      September 11, 2019

      Zeal for Life

      August 17, 2019

      The Doctor Is In

    • Home & Design
      1. Homes for Rent
      2. Homes for Sale
      3. Kitchen & Bath Design
      4. Real Estate
      5. Real Estate Financing
      6. Vacation Rentals
      Featured
      April 7, 20210

      Don’t Replace Restore

      Recent
      April 7, 2021

      Don’t Replace Restore

      February 26, 2021

      Cactus Kings

      April 9, 2020

      WesternWhitehouseSC.com Poolside Retreat

    • Contact
    SouthCoast Magazine
    You are at:Home»Dining»Rocco’s Italian Restaurant
    Rocco's Restaurant

    Rocco’s Italian Restaurant

    0
    By Rose Wright on March 16, 2018 Dining, Italian


    “A New Experience in Latin and European Cuisine”


    Rocco’s Restaurant is owned and operated by local Master Chef Rocco Carbonara who has been preparing delicious meals for San Clemente locals for a long time. His newest venture, Rocco’s Restaurant, opened over a year ago and has attracted quite a following with his amazing cooking, diverse menu and extremely affordable prices. His diverse dinner menu has made getting a reservation more and more difficult. His slogan “Affordable Elegance is our Specialty” really describes what’s been going on at Rocco’s for the last year. “I’ve been in the restaurant business for 25 years” Rocco says “and now I can bring all that experience together and give people a place they can afford without sacrificing the quality of the food or the dining experience.”

    Rocco, 41, was raised in Bari, Italy, two hours south of Naples. At age 16 he took his first job working in his parents Trattoria, making pasta, ragu, gelatos and other small plate dishes, working each day after school. At age 18 “I realized my true calling” says Rocco, “and enrolled in Istituto Alberghicio Armando Perotti, which is the Italian equivalent of the famed Cordon Blue cooking school.” After graduating, he worked on Ibiza Island preparing meals for International tourists at the Golden Tulip, a fancy Italian restaurant and resort hotel.

    Completing several more stints at luxury hotels, he came to the US in 1992, where he cooked for his uncle Tony Carbonara, at Carbonara’s Trattoria Restaurant and for his Aunt and Uncle who own “Tina and Vince’s Italian Deli” both on Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente’s charming “Main Street.” In the late 1990’s he helped a friend from Capri open up “Rustico” a gourmet Restaurant in Telluride, Colorado. After a few years he returned to San Clemente and opened up “Meditrano” a successful Restaurant at the Country Inn Hotel (San Clemente) which eventually closed with the sale of the hotel.

    He then went back to work with his Uncle at Carbonara in the early 2000’s and while working there he met his future wife Belkis who’s from Maracay, Venezuela, a town Rocco’s mother hails from as well. Belkis and Rocco hit it off instantly and were married about a year and a half ago. Deciding to take a risk, they bought Rocco’s Restaurant a year ago and if that wasn’t challenging enough they were blessed with their first child (a boy) Justine Cash Carbonara, three years ago. Belkis who is full-time mother, wife, bookkeeper and usually at the restaurant to help with everything, says “I’ve been so busy lately, that this last year has flashed by.” What to do in her free time however is not an issue, “because I have none” she says while smiling.

    Rocco, who is a veteran chef, knew exactly what he was in for and so far he has been up to the challenge working long hours with most of the menu handmade and homemade, something Rocco believes strongly. “You can taste the difference when things are handmade and homemade” says Rocco “It may take more time and effort but it’s worth it to me, it makes a big difference.” The restaurant has been a hit from the start and if you stop by, you’ll see what all the fuss is about. From his Sunday night special $20 rack of lamb, to his daily dinner specials (changed weekly.) Rocco has the right idea when it comes to marketing his product; great ambience and wonderful cuisine at affordable prices.

    Rocco’s restaurant is a family affair with Rocco, his wife Belkis, and her brother Rumolo all pitching in to help at the restaurant. Throw in a few cousins and it’s easy to see why Rocco’s has such a cozy family atmosphere. Starting in May, Rocco’s will have an early-bird special Monday thru Thursday, from five to six, featuring seven delicious entrees like Veal Marsala and Salmon Fettuccine for only $14; house wine will be available for $4 a glass. Rocco’s restaurant is also available for private parties, banquets and off-site catering.

    Rocco Cooking
    Rocco’s Ristorante
    Call for Reservations, Catering &
    Special Events 949.388.7766
    www.roccos-restaurant.com
    203 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA 92672

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Rose Wright
    • Website

    Related Posts

    Parlor San Clemente

    Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse

    Cabo San Lucas ~ Adventure Awaits You

    Comments are closed.

    SouthCoast Quick Links
    • Publications
    • From the Publisher
    • Recent
    • Popular
    • Dining
    May 13, 2025

    Wild Rivers Waterpark Opens May 17

    November 18, 2024

    Winter Fest OC Opens November 22

    November 1, 2024

    Winter Fest OC 2024

    August 18, 2013

    Amahlia Stevens Shining Star

    August 18, 2013

    South of Nick’s

    August 18, 2013

    Selma’s Chicago Pizzeria

    August 26, 2024

    Parlor San Clemente

    March 11, 2024

    Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse

    February 28, 2024

    Cabo San Lucas ~ Adventure Awaits You

    Archives
    CONTACT INFORMATION
    PO Box 1085
    San Clemente, CA 92674
    T. 949-498-0705
    Popular Posts
    May 13, 2025

    Wild Rivers Waterpark Opens May 17

    November 18, 2024

    Winter Fest OC Opens November 22

    November 1, 2024

    Winter Fest OC 2024

    SouthCoast Magazine
    • Explore SC
    • Dining
    • Health & Wellness
    • Home & Design
    • Classes
    • Contact
    Western Whitehouse
    Copyright 2024 © · SouthCoast Magazine. Proudly powered by JM Designs.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.