Just
Over 100 restaurants were nominated in
MBayKids 4th Annual Family Friendly Dining survey. This year, Rosine’s Restaurant , in
Monterey, walked away with the Best Dessert title, receiving three times as many votes as its nearest competitor.
You barely have to enter the front door of
Rosine’s on Alvarado St. to understand why they received the Best Dessert win. Rosine’s dessert case, strategically positioned by
Lori McDonnal (left) celebrates Rosine’s “Best Dessert” win with
Jim Culcasi, Jr. and Annette Culcasi-Ivers. Photo by Katalina
Photography.
the front door, is a jaw-dropping display of decadence: multi-layer mile-high cakes, sinfully large pies, and “Is that really just one brownie?” mouth-watering concoctions that are heaped with gooey goodness.
Having treated myself to a few of Rosine’s desserts over the years, I can attest to the fact that they are as delicious as they look. Yet, when our voting families offered explanations as to why they loved Rosine’s, the restaurant’s desserts were only part of their story.
Families commented on how they felt welcome and valued as customers. It was a universal theme shared by voters about all of our category winners. (See results on pg. 8.)
Very much a family affair, Rosine’s was founded in 1980 by Jim and Rosine Culcasi.
Rosine retired in 1991 and, since then, the restaurant has been operated by Rosine’s son, Jim Culcasi, Jr., and Rosine’s daughter, Annette Culcasi-Ivers. Their sister, Renee, authored “Rosine’s Cuisine,” a cookbook that has sold over 12,000 copies. Jim’s wife,
Susan, handles the marketing and paperwork as well as a Facebook account with fans from all over the world.
Jim Culcasi, Jr. is the creative genius behind Rosine’s desserts and the restaurant’s dessert business has grown since he’s been at the helm. However, Jim knows it takes more than great looking cakes and pies to keep his customers happy. As a father, himself, to three boys, ages 7, 13 and 16, Jim makes a conscious effort to be family-friendly. “It is very important to us,” he shares, “that every customer who walks through the door feels welcome and ‘at home.’”
It’s working. Spending a few minutes with Jim and Annette is like spending time with your next door neighbors. They are warm, friendly people who find joy in making other people happy. “When customers walk through the front door and I see the smiles on their faces when gleaming at our dessert case,” says Jim, “and when I walk through our dining room and I see them enjoying their food, it gives me great satisfaction.”
Contributors........................2
Homeschooling.....................4
Just desserts at Rosine’s? It’s more...
much more!
Lori McDonnal
Editor
On our cover: Krissy Orlebeck and 2 yearold son Lucas get a close-up look at a few of the decadent desserts at Rosine’s Restaurant in Monterey. Cover photo by Kathy Pimentel,
Katalina Photography
Arts & Crafts ........................5
House Calls...........................6
Restaurant Winners..............8
MamaPreneur.....................10
Sweet Stuff..........................11
Special Needs.......................12
Happenings......................13
Guest Corner......................14
Pet Corner...........................15
Published 8 times per year, Scoop!
is a supplement to our website,
Scoop!
MBayKids.com
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