FOODIE
You’ve Tried The Rest, Now Try Rosa’s Pizza
By Pete & Will/ foodie@longislandernews.com

In any town there are many choices for pizza with restaurants offering their own version of an Italian-American staple. And if you haven’t looked lately – like the last decade or more – here’s news. There’s more to pizza than just plain cheese and sauce.

The Foodies could write a book about all the pizza joints in this town, and still not get around to describing it all. In the suburbs, you see, pizza parlors are like Manhattan Starbucks – there’s one on practically every corner. The difference is, every pizza place has its own distinct personality. There are thin crusts, thick crusts and sesame-seeded crusts. Some restaurants make their own distinctly flavored sauces, and most, these days, go to town with the toppings so that every pizza place has its own personality.

Pizza also inspires fierce loyalty; everyone wants to think that his or her neighborhood pizza parlor is the best. To review them all would take more room than we have here.

With that in mind, indulge the Foodies by allowing us to single out Rosa’s Pizza. Sure, their pizza’s among the best in town, but Rosa’s has an added distinction that no other restaurant can claim – location. The restaurant is located on the ground floor of the original Long-Islander building at the corner of Clinton and Main Streets in Huntington. Rosa’s occupies the prime ground-floor corner of the 1899 building where presses once churned out newspapers, and extensively renovated the space to create an airy, open dining room with marble counters and plenty of seating. Sidewalk seating in the summer months, along with the restaurant’s late-night closing time, make Rosa’s a popular spot in the village for a late-night snack.

Pizza and heros are the staples at Rosa’s, and all day long there’s a steady stream of customers peering into the glass cases to see what’s topping the pizzas that day. There’s always the standard plain slice and a Sicilian version, and the cheeseless Margherita version with a chunky marinara sauce is popular as a lighter alternative. But it’s the toppings that get the attention. On any given day one might find fresh mozzarella with tomato and basil; buffalo chicken; grilled vegetable; ravioli or ziti pizza; spinach; sausage and meatball. Many are so loaded with goodies they make it into the one-slice-is-a-meal category. A unique Foodie favorite is the salad pizza and there’s a Caesar version, too. And if it’s not on display, just ask.

Rosa’s features a full kitchen that goes beyond traditional Italian favorites ranging from the spaghetti plate ($5) to spaghetti with clam sauce ($8.50), a briny homemade favorite with chunks of clams. Penne ala Vodka ($7.50) stands with the best of them, and Broccoli Rabe over Pasta ($8.50) is excellent, or order a side dish of this Italian staple – sans pasta – for $5.95.

Baked pasta dishes include Lasagna ($7), Stuffed Shells ($7.50), Cheese Ravioli ($8), and the tummy-filling Baked Ziti with Ricotta ($7). All are topped with Rosa’s rich, homemade sauce.

Also on the must list: Rosa’s meatballs. They’re oversized, hand-rolled and broiled, and good enough to eat plain. But we suggest sauce for dipping and a side of their famous garlic knots. Finally, watch for daily specials. We’ve had linguine with shrimp and garlic that’s out of this world.

Rosa’s Pizza
313 Main Street
Huntington
631-425-7694
631-425-7695
www.rosaspizzallicom

Atmosphere: Casual; a village gathering spot, especially late night.

Price range: Inexpensive

Cuisine: Classic Italian, Pizza.

Hours:
Sunday – Thursday
10 a.m. – 12 a.m.
Friday & Saturday
10 a.m. – 2 a.m.

Main Menu