1.

"kitchen closes at 2 PM on Friday's". Nice to know a fucking media company proofreads its menus.

Also, Rocco is cooking the dogs and burgers at my barbeque next week. I had to pay him 50 bucks but he did say he'd pose for pictures with the guests.

2.

so sad

3.

what's even sadder is that he can't even use garlic

4.

This weekend, the local NBC (CBS?) affiliate in NYC covered the New York City Triathlon and did a segment with Rocco Dispirito. The "highlight" was Dispirito stuffing his face with about 20 different Italian desserts.

He came in 2066th Place:
http://results.active.com/uploads/txt/46563.txt

I'm no expert, but that seems not bad for a first timer.

5.

Funny thing is, there was a Chowhound thread this week (?) where someone asked what happened to Rocco, and the (ahem) administrators REMOVED IT.

6.

Nothing says street-cred like working for Bertoli Pasta. Good for him. I guess its better than running Rocco's(the tv show restaurant) for a living.

www.ilsvont.com

7.

NYC Tri wasn't his first triathlon, #4 --- he is the feature of a recent article in USA Triathlon Magazine. He sounded quite intelligent and funny in the article.

One curiousity from the NYC Tri -- how did he manage to take 13+ minutes in transition 1 (between swim and bike). Average people took about 4 minutes. Was he checking his hair in the transition area?

8.

When he got to Conde Nast he refused to cook. Bertolli gave samples of its new frozen food or something and he lurked in the corner signing cookbooks.

9.

Say what you want, but I saw him at the Conde Nast cafeteria yesterday and he looked great. Lines were wrapped around the corner to talk to him, and he couldn't be nicer. He talked to me openly for 5 minutes about his Mom's recent surgery...
I hate to break it to those that apparently regard reality TV as "real"- but 'The Restaurant' was a few years ago and Rocco has certainly changed. He's healthier and seems MUCH happier. THE COMEBACK IS ON!!

10.

Conde Nast doesn't run the cafeteria - Restaurant Associates does, hence menu typos.

11.

player haters...ever eat at union pacific? he accomplished more there in 8 years than many of the 'top" chefs put together ever will. he ruled the culinary world there. if he doesnt now its simply by his choosing. chefs dream about being able to retire from cooking before they die at the stove, hes one of the few who did it.
sure he seems like a jerk but noones perfect

12.

Saw Rocco's recent appearance on Top Chef. Yikes! I think Jeffrey Chodorow drove him to a nervous breakdown. He looks like he's spent the past couple of years crying.