If you’re over 18 and have been the slightest bit acquainted with adult movies, you’ve probably heard of Rocco Siffredi. About a month ago, the world's most popular action hero opened an Italian Restaurant in Alkotmány Street, but that doesn’t mean he’s out of work, the cameras are always rolling in his Budapest-based studio. We sat down for a chat with Rocco and his wife (who's also the manager) about the restaurant and all the delicacies it has in store.
Rocco's WorldThere are at least as many Italian restaurants in Budapest as talented defenders in the Seria A, but Rocco’s place is an odd-one-out for several reasons. First and foremost, it pulls of the feat of looking good while serving quality meals, but that shouldn’t surprise anyone, because someone like Rocco would never get involved with anything mediocre.
Rocco’s World is utterly elegant yet still boasts a loose vibe, and the interior’s main theme is, for nobody’s surprise, the Master’s profession and career, which manifest themselves in the form of films and miscellaneous relics. Our favorite piece is located in a seemingly odd place, in the toilet, where Rocco himself appears in the mirror like a mirage on the desert horizon. And we’re not even kidding.
Anything you wish for…
Rocco's World is as Italian as it gets: ingredients, recipes, cooking methods, and even the chef himself come from the boot-shaped peninsula. Dishes are served in small portions, and the menu consists of few but quality delicacies. It was really surprising to learn that pizza is not served at Rocco’s, but it’s more than understandable in the light of their goal – which is to divert from the selection and image of traditional Italian cafés.
But don’t you worry none, Rocco’s easily fills the pizza-void with dishes such as onion soup (990Ft), minestrone soup (990Ft), crab salad with ruccola (2000 Ft), Nice tuna salad (2000 Ft), Rocco wok (2900 Ft), spaghetti carbonara (2100 Ft), cheese and pepper ravioli (2500 Ft), eggplant parmigiana style (2000 Ft), tomato and basil spaghetti (1890 Ft), Milanese lamb (3900Ft), grilled sea bass sandwich (4800Ft), duck breast with black pepper (3100 Ft), or apple with Terrine cinnamon sauce (990Ft).
For those looking to save some cash while also dining fine, we have some good news, because – as it is in most eateries in downtown Budapest – a lunch menu is available from 12:00 to 15:00. A two-course lunch costs 1490 Ft, while the three-course version is 1890 Ft.
A full-bodied red
Quality Italian food requires quality Italian drinks. A prime example is Rocco’s own wine, which bears his own name, and originates from his hometown.
Right now, it’s only available in red, but the white is already being produced, just as Rocco beer, the future Budapestian representative of Italian craft beers.
Rocco's future
Short-term plans include a terrace overlooking the Parliament and a merchandise store packed with exciting gifts, while the long-term goal is to set up a franchise, according to Rocco himself, the ideal location would be the Vatican, which idea perfectly reflects the late-night legend’s sense of humor. Whatever the future holds, we’re rooting for Rocco and his Budapestian world.
Rocco’s World Caffe (closed) Address: 1054 Budapest, 19.
Alkotmány Street
