Rockography

Rockography

Photo: Joann Jovinelly

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Contact Info:

Address: 504 Avenue of the Americas (13th St)
City: New York, NY
Zip: 10011
map: View the Map
Phone: (646) 360-4143
Website: http://www.rockographycafe.com
Hours: 11 AM–2 AM weekdays 10 AM–4 AM weekends

Food Info:

Menu: View the Menu
Cuisine: American
2nd Cuisine: Burgers
Takeout: Yes
Delivery: Yes

Cititour Review:

All of the young dudes are raving about the West Village’s new rock ‘n’ roll themed eatery, Rockography, where the food rocks as hard as the music. Like a sophisticated version of the old Hard Rock Café, Rockography serves much tastier food, better cocktails, and tows the line ever more tastefully than the tired chain ever did, balancing itself carefully between theme and gimmick, and offering a unique, enjoyable dining experience in a casual setting.

The menu says it all. Conceived by Executive Chef Ted Cipollone, formerly of the Prado of Balboa Park in California, it’s chock full of entrées that seem inspired by the bad boys of rock, such as mini beef corndogs, Frito pie chili, sliders, chicken and waffles, deep-fried PB&Js, and a super-sized 16 oz. burger topped with onion rings, fried tomato, maple bacon, pickles, a fried egg, and slathered in Velveeta cheese sauce. (Basically, it’s the Keith Richards of burgers—almost more than you can handle, but a totally satisfying take on the American classic.) And we love the subtle details—the Fender guitar pics, the cocktails named after classic songs like Daytripper, and the stainless steel divided trays that say “TV dinner” better than anything else ever could.

Never mind the calories. You’ll be having so much fun checking out Rockography’s interior that you’ll forget all about that bathroom scale. Expect plenty of “Remember when” moments as you and your party set your eyes on myriad vintage rock posters that line the walls as well as a series of high-definition monitors that broadcast classic rock clips by the Stones, the Beatles, Janis, Hendrix, and the Doors. Creative designer Andrew Alford conceptualized the playful interior, which includes a 23-foot zinc topped bar made from giant Marshall amps, a host station built from a working stage speaker, and cool, blue track lights that set the entire space in beautiful jewel-toned colors. A vintage 1979 Kiss pinball machine adds even more authenticity.

The rear gallery space, which is away from the street-facing windows, is slightly more private and currently showcases gorgeous photographs by photojournalist Chris Walter who captured rock icons like Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Roger Daltrey, and Janis Joplin in their prime. Another current exhibit includes images of the historic Woodstock Festival of 1969 taken by Jason Laure, but expect the gallery to evolve over time as images are sold making room for others.

Weekends at Rockography revolve around its Beatles Brunch, where patrons can dine while listening to and watching the Fab Four while enjoying bottomless Bellinis and a Bloody Mary cocktail bar. Even though you were up late the night before—Rockography serves food on the weekends until 4 AM—we know that you’ll crawl back for more, especially since nothing fixes a hangover better than another cocktail and a place that serves breakfast all day.

 

Review By: Joann Jovinelly

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