Critic Rating: 9.5/10
With New York bustling with commercialized Italian food chains, it’s difficult to find a place that truly embodies a sense of comfort and home in a simple bowl. However, the search is finally over. Snuggled in the corner of Bay Terrace Shopping Center, Rosa Pizza is a family-run restaurant located in Bayside. The restaurant officially opened in November 2022 and has since become a staple for everyone, from busy parents satisfying their appetites after a long work day to students filling up the red-cushioned chairs to gossip about that cute guy in math class. For Townsend students who take the Q20, Rosa Pizza is right up your alley (literally). They offer a range of Italian food, from a crunchy, crispy pizza crust to pastas drenched in thick sauces. The best part is, all of this food is homemade. You’ll be licking the marinara sauce off your fingers, and be consumed by the tender embrace of the food. Whatever you decide to order, I can guarantee you’ll be left satisfied, with your taste buds begging for more.
The interior of Rosa Pizza is typical, but it hides a little secret. Upon walking in, you’re greeted by an arrangement of pizzas displayed behind glass walls, with an island always occupied by old men laughing around a cheese pie. Typical. There is one thing, however, that sets Rosa Pizza apart from other restaurants; when you walk in further and look up, you’ll see a gorgeous arrangement of flowers on the ceiling. It’s such a simple design, yet it adds so much elegance and grace to a small pizza shop.
Garlic Bread (8/10)
Starting off strong with the classic garlic bread. Unfortunately, it does not come with your pasta and needs to be ordered separately, but it’s definitely worth it. It typically comes in bunches of six or eight, wrapped in aluminum foil. You can choose to order marinara sauce on the side, but it is still delicious on its own. Though the presentation may come off as cheap and shabby, don’t let the paper plate fool you. Wrapped in the shiny foil lie delicate, garlicky, greasy buns. This garlic bread is one of the most intricate I’ve ever tasted. It was indulgently satisfying with a crisp of golden top that added the perfect crunch with each bite. Though the garlic bread itself may be slightly greasy, the fluffy, pillowy bread beneath the golden crust provides a nice balance between the grease and the garlicky flavor. The squishy bread also does an amazing job soaking up the garlic and oil, so each bite is an overwhelming mixture of carbs and garlic. This is the kind of garlic bread that will make you and your slick fingers reach for another. Even if you’re not fond of greasy foods, I urge you to try this rich, fluffy, and exquisite treat.
Penne Alla Vodka (10/10)
Next up, the pasta. The penne alla vodka is a must when visiting Rosa Pizza. If you order it to stay, it comes in a white ceramic glass dish and a complementary plain loaf of bread on the side. It’s simply a comforting masterpiece, bringing together the perfect balance of creamy tomato sauce and tender pasta. Each bite was rich, with the sauce clean to every curve of the penne, delivering a velvety texture and a hint of warmth from the vodka. It was super saucy, perfect for those who love a bit of extra sauce to savor with each bite. The flavors felt nostalgic, like rustic meals prepared with love, making it impossible not to dive in for seconds. You have a choice of either grilled or breaded chicken; either way, the tender chunks of chicken crumble in your mouth, leaving your taste buds screaming for more. Due to the sauce-to-pasta ratio, there will definitely be sauce left over. I recommend dipping the side of bread in the sauce; the warmth of the sauce complements the sponginess of the bread, ensuring your entire plate is licked clean.
This was my first time visiting Rosa Pizza and since then, I’ve gone back every week. From the pastas to the pizzas to the flimsy plastic utensils, everything about the place is so perfect, almost familiar, like a 1990s romance film. The food is so comforting, it makes me feel like I’m being wrapped up in a hug. Overall, I’d rate the restaurant itself a 9.5/10, as it gets quite crowded and difficult to find seats, especially around 2-3pm. Regardless, this restaurant is definitely worth visiting. If you’re ever in Bay Terrace, you should shop at some of the surrounding retail stores and fulfill your appetite with a plate of a homemade delight.
