I’ve blogged about Rosa’s once before, but when I return to a restaurant the amount of times I’ve visited this Italian gem, I simply have to tell you about it again.

The moment you walk through the doors, you feel as if you’ve stepped into the living room of those Italian neighbours who invite you over for spaghetti and meatballs every Sunday. Well, I didn’t exactly have those neighbours, but a food fanatic can dream right?

The woman behind the meatballs, in this case, is Rosa herself. And serving those delicious, juicy, fist-sized meatballs? None other than Rosa’s family. And where are those meatballs served? In a lively room of less than twenty tables, where the walls are decorated with photos of frequent diners, sports legends, and a collection of paintings.

I could spend a few more paragraphs discussing the meatballs, but trust me when I tell you that Rosa’s recipes extend far beyond that. I need to tell you about the pasta primavera.

Penne Primavera. Photo by: Alyssa Dawson

The penne primavera comes with either a tomato or cream sauce, but I highly recommend the tomato. It is sweet, fresh, and flavoured with a secret combination of spices and herbs. It automatically transported me back to my time in Italy. Many pizza and pasta joints use noodles in pasta dishes as a cost saving measure, but not Rosa’s; this meal is piled high on a large plate and the vegetables far outweigh the penne in ratio. Truly, an amazing value.

If you like the idea of dinner being a social experience, where plenty of wine and sharing meals is encouraged, then Rosa’s and their gigantic portions are for you and your family.

As always, wishing you a stamp of culinary royalty in all of your dining endeavours! xx