The lasagna at Rolo’s has béchamel and a deep bolognese constituted of floor beef that is butchered in-house. It is sandwiched between crumpled items of inexperienced pasta, the highest of which get charred to a tough crunch in a wooden oven. It is a sensible twist on a traditional dish—and it does extra with two sheets of pasta than some eating places do with 20.
Like all of the cooking at Rolo’s, the lasagna is subtly ingenious, with top-quality substances and fine-tuned methods, offered merely. Based by Gramercy Tavern alums throughout the pandemic, this Ridgewood spot makes all of it look appealingly easy. They’ve since opened one among our favourite bakeries, and a late-night bar across the nook—each as artistic, detail-oriented, and fashionable as Rolo’s, which is constantly booked out.
Within the massive fundamental eating space, you may see some neighborhood regulars, in for a simple weeknight dinner. (Others proceed to keep away from it, citing the restaurant’s ties to a real-estate developer.) You’ll additionally see NYC bucket-listers who booked a reservation weeks in the past, and are probably taking a cab again to Tribeca. Individuals eat softly-lit plates of juicy grilled shrimp, seasonal greens, or mortadella, and house-aged steaks. There’s view of the wooden grill and oven, and the music may be 90% Khruangbin, however you possibly can’t be certain, as a result of it’s enjoying at simply the best degree.
After which there’s the bar, which takes walk-ins and is among the extra sceney locations east of the East River. If you happen to’re planning an evening of dancing in Ridgewood or Bushwick, there’s likelihood it’s beginning on the Rolo’s bar. Out right here, beanies are the resiliency inspiration you want, clinging on to patrons’ heads for expensive life, whereas leaving their ears as chilly because the cocktails they’re consuming.
photograph credit score: Kate Previte
Individuals with Gallagher brother haircuts cut up creamy, crusty polenta bread, and eat one of many metropolis’s greatest smashburgers whereas hyping themselves up for the most recent underground DJ at These days. The bar lighting is dimmer, the dialog is spirited, and the outfits present sufficient fodder to maintain you off Pinterest for a couple of weeks.
It’d appear to be this complete place simply rolled away from bed and threw on a classic tee, however that might be lacking the true image. Whether or not you’re at Rolo’s simply to pregame, or have been planning a low-key, special day meal right here for weeks, you’ll discover unpretentious, extremely satisfying meals, held up by a sturdy spine of method and care.
Meals Rundown
photograph credit score: Kate Previte
Wooden-Fired Polenta Bread
The anchor of any meal at Rolo’s, these breads are creamy like polenta, charred like pizza, and laden with flavorful toppings. Mixing and matching which bread topping you get with the small plates you select is like Rolo’s Legos. We just like the sesame and wild oregano model (pictured).
photograph credit score: Kate Previte
Two Sheet Lasagna Verde
Our favourite factor on the menu at Rolo’s. The highest sheet of spinach pasta rumpled like a topographic map of the Ozarks, with jagged ridges and low valleys. The béchamel is creamy, the bolognese is wealthy, and the deep charred notes of the pasta make this a must-order.
photograph credit score: Rolo’s
Double Cheeseburger
This lovely double cheeseburger is the head of Rolo’s whole-animal butchery program, and it’s incredible. Juicy, fatty, crispy, and served with a well-grilled pepper.
photograph credit score: Will Hartman
Pickled Carrots
A pleasant little snack to have on the desk. Get them organized, and save them to eat together with your fundamental course. They’re crunchy and acidic.
photograph credit score: Kate Previte
Grilled Salt & Pepper Head-On Shrimp
Dishes like these make us really feel foolish for having a white linen serviette. The shrimp are candy, plump, properly charred, and an unbelievable mess to eat. If this sounds attention-grabbing to you, contemplate packing moist wipes.
photograph credit score: Kate Previte
Pork T-bone
We want extra eating places would serve this lower of pork. It’s basically a porterhouse, so that you get good bites of wealthy strip, with a couple of tender morsels of filet.
photograph credit score: Kate Previte
Crispy Potatoes “Warfare Fashion”
A few of the most attention-grabbing spuds in New York, these huge wedges are served with a dollop of mayo, and a spicy peanut sauce that doesn’t draw back from the warmth.