By Maxfield English
With finals season intensifying, students often find themselves facing the most difficult portion of the semester. For those in need of a break, Rosine’s, a family-style American and Italian restaurant in Monterey, may provide much-needed relaxation.
Rosine’s has been family-owned and operated since 1980, delivering quality service and food for 44 years. In an industry known for its challenges, Rosine’s enduring success speaks volumes about its consistent excellence. Namely, the attention to detail within their restaurant, which had begun decorating recently for the holiday season and was kept clean throughout.
The dining area is both inviting and thoughtfully designed. A raised balcony on one side provides cozy booth seating for intimate occasions, while the central floor caters to larger groups, often filled with families enjoying hearty meals and lively conversation. Music from nearby Alvarado Street occasionally drifts through the open French windows leading to Rosine’s outside seating, adding to the relaxed ambiance.
While it may vary depending on your circumstances, the service during my most recent visit was stellar. I was seated immediately, my order taken promptly and my first and second courses arrived within minutes. While an empty restaurant may speak to a lack of appeal, during my meal it seemed not to be the case. After I was seated, the restaurant soon filled with patrons, primarily middle-aged couples enjoying a weekend treat. This was very in line with the experience, people coming for the ability to share a hearty meal in a space filled with energy.
Under the Culcasi name, they have received acclaim from various sources, including the Monterey Herald and the renowned Guy Fieri. The latter featured the restaurant on his show “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives,” where he praised their minestrone, stating it was “without question, one of the craziest minestrones I’ve ever seen.” Among the many visits I’ve taken, some with family, and some with friends, the minestrone has always been a highlight on the menu.
One course pairing that worked exceptionally well was the minestrone with the fettuccine alfredo. Rosine’s uses a delightfully rich and thick alfredo sauce that the minestrone cuts through in the best way possible. Other dishes that stood out to me were Rosine’s turkey dip, and club sandwiches. Both were strong takes on diner’s usual comfort food.
Another difficulty would be the price. While the portions are generous, and it isn’t exceedingly expensive, a full meal and dessert came out to just under $50 and didn’t account for their entree menu, which can raise the price. After sampling this menu, it was certainly delicious, but items start at $21 and can cost more. This can be hard to justify given the budget many college students are operating on.
Contrary to the high prices of the dinner menu, Rosine’s dessert is almost underpriced relative to the size of its portions, paired with the impressive quality it delivers. Their dessert selection is extensive, but my personal favorite has to be their take on chocolate black forest cake, which they usually price at $10 a slice. It has a creamy chocolate ganache filling and goes well with the maraschino cherries the cake was topped with. This price is well worth it, as the portions of their cakes are cut nine inches in diameter and tall. Their pastries are simply delicious.
If your relaxation requires leaving Rosine’s however, outside is the beautiful Alvarado Street, which hosts many interesting shops, museums, and people to experience. As one patron I spoke with stated enthusiastically, “This is more than a restaurant to me, it’s a tradition.”