Rosalie's Cucina

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Tuscan Table in the Finger Lakes

Rosalie's Cucina has been serving authentic Tuscan Italian food in Skaneateles, New York since 1995 — nearly three decades of house-made pastas, carefully sourced ingredients, and a dining room that has drawn everyone from President Bill Clinton to Super Bowl-winning coaches. The restaurant was founded by renowned restaurateur Philip Romano for his sister Rosalie, and today it is owned and operated by executive chef Marc Albino, who has been recognized by Best Chefs America and featured on national television's Dining Around.

The building itself was constructed in authentic Tuscan style, and the kitchen's philosophy matches the architecture: no shortcuts, no compromise on quality. Local ingredients are noted on the menu, gluten-free and vegetarian options are woven throughout, and every dish is prepared with what the kitchen describes as "the highest quality ingredients." That commitment to craft earned Rosalie's Cucina a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2025 — recognition that reflects a wine list thoughtfully matched to the Italian cooking it accompanies.

What's on the Table

The menu moves through antipasti, primi, and secondi in the Italian tradition. Starters include a homemade crepe Manicotti filled with herbed ricotta and tomato coulis, a classic Carpaccio of thinly sliced raw beef with parmigiano reggiano and caper mayo, and grilled prosciutto-wrapped shrimp over a panzanella salad. Pasta dishes are central to the experience: the Rigatoni della Cucina layers slow-cooked beef, veal, and pork in tomato sauce, while the house-made Tagliatelle e Polpette pairs meatballs and spicy sausage with amatriciana sauce and herbed ricotta. For something lighter, the Vegetable Primavera features house-made tagliatelle with asparagus, oven-cured tomatoes, and a roasted garlic spinach cream sauce.

Secondi stretch from the Braciole — prime sirloin stuffed with garlic bread crumbs and served with parmigiano-reggiano gnocchi — to wood-fired lobster tails with boursin cheese risotto. Desserts are made in-house: the Banana Budino arrives in a cinnamon-sugar phyllo shell, and Rosalie's Cioccolato Torta is a mile-high devil's food cake finished with warm Callebaut chocolate sauce and house-made whipped cream.

Beyond the Dining Room

Rosalie's extends well past the main dining room. The on-site bakery opens early each morning with fresh baked goods, signature Italian bread, and Starbucks coffee. A food truck — Cruisin' Cucina — brings the kitchen out into the community. For private events, the Romano Room accommodates parties of 20 to 45 guests, and for larger occasions like weddings, executive chef Marc Albino offers custom catering exclusively at The Sinclair of Skaneateles. Family-style takeout is available too, with full pasta and entrée selections scaled for groups.

It's the kind of place that earns repeat visits and loyal regulars — voted number one restaurant in Skaneateles by the local Chamber of Commerce, and praised in Finger Lakes: A Food & Wine Lover's Companion as one of the most enjoyable dining experiences in the region.