Rocca Kitchen & Bar
Boston, MA 02118
Phone: (617) 451-5151
Fax: (617) 451-5155
- Price:
- $$$
- Cross Street:
- E. Berkeley Street
- Specialties:
- Italian Food
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 5:30pm-10pm, Fri 5:30pm-11pm, Sat 11:30am-3pm, 5:30pm-11pm, Sun 11:30am-3pm, 5:30pm-10pm
Editorial Review for Rocca Kitchen & Bar – by Eric Grossman
In Short
The experienced local restaurateurs Michela Larson, Gary Sullivan and Karen Haskell have opened Rocca, a handsome restaurant and bar with an eye towards modern design, in the far reaches of the South End. A breezy patio provides a pleasant spot for outdoor dining, and a horseshoe shaped bar is perfect for solo diners. Comfy banquettes and earthy hues dominate the welcoming dining room. Rocca's menu, inspired by the Liguria region of Italy, is dotted with upscale comfort items like fritti de pesce, veal-stuffed zucchini, and trofie (an eggless, handcrafted pasta native to Liguria) tossed with handmade pesto.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
ParkingWhile there are usually some spaces available along this quiet stretch of Harrison Ave., the restaurant has 65 spots of its own in back.
User Reviews for Rocca Kitchen & Bar
08/09/2008 Posted by JBanxXx
Well let me start by saying I went to Rocca on a Tuesday night around 9pm with reservations. I went to Rocca b/c my friend and I saw an episode of Phantom Gourmet and thought this restaurant would be nice for a birthday celebration. FOOD: We walked in and were immediately greeted by a nice hostess and promptly taken upstairs to be seated. Everybody was very nice; some so nice I wondered how much they were getting paid to so nice. Anyway, the waitress was very quick asking us if we wanted any drinks or appetizers, a little too quick. The appetizers took about 15 mins or so to come out, but were worth the wait (at least the mussels and the bread in the bucket were good). After the appetizers came she took our main orders and headed off. That was one of the last times she would stop by our table that night. I guess you don't have to be quick when you're serving a party bigger than 6 and the gratuity is already added in? The entrees took forever to come out (maybe 30- 45 minutes) and most of my party had run out of water and drinks by then, but we couldn't find the waitress. Most reviews I've read say the portions are small, and I would agree and disagree. I happened to get very lucky and everything I ordered was appropriately sized and REALLY GOOD (try the rigatoni). I finished the night with a Chocolate Martini which was delicious (ask for the larger one that is $1 more than the smaller size which is advertised on the menu)!! ATMOSPHERE: The atmosphere is a bit different downstairs at the entrance than it is upstairs. Downstairs is the place to be seen and hang out with your friends. Everybody was pretty fashionable and I saw everything from nice jeans and sneakers to sports coats and casual dress pants. Upstairs the vibe is a bit more "sididity" for a lack of a better world. The crowd is mostly Caucasian (however I didn't feel uncomfortable, except for some stares, but hey--) and apparently the lounge/bar is big a gay hangout spot.
Pros: good food, nice staff, FREE PARKING
Cons: slow service @ times, prices doesn't agree with portions
07/16/2008 Posted by JimBeaux
I attended a birthday dinner for a very good friend tonight. We had a wonderful time. When my partner and I arrived about 7 minutes prior to reservation time, the hostess nicely showed us to the space for the party. The waiter seemed uncertain about what he should do with us before the host and the birthday boy arrived. Once others arrived be began taking drink orders and settled into a nice routine. All the cocktails were excellent and well prepared. We sampled a wide variety of appetizers, entrees and desserts. The sliders were very popular, the fried cauliflour was tasty, the olives were quickly polished off. The only item that was even questionable was the sunflower bread with eggplant caviar. It was not bad and not wonderful. Some ordered steaks, some ordered pastas, some ordered chicken or pizza. Everyone seemed very happy with their food. The polenta was ordered as a side and was fabulous. I like good polenta a lot and can't stand it when it's bad. This was VERY good. For dessert we ordered a number of sorbet sundaes and almond bark with chocolate. All those items were very good, too. The dessert for the birthday boy came out with a candle and we all sang to him with the waiter leading us. This was a very nice evening and I would return at almost any time. One final note; I am a vegetarian and there were plenty of items for me to eat.
Pros: Beautiful interior
Cons: Surrounding neighborhood needs improvement
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