Dining at Rocca is like a quick trip to Italy

Rocca offers warm and welcoming hospitality paired with views of the Tampa skyline in an elegant setting in The Heights District. Chef Bryce Bonsack’s handmade pasta-focused menu features Italian fare using seasonal ingredients as its inspiration.

Chef Bryce Executive Chef/ partner has returned to his roots in Tampa after years of honing his skills in New York. He then decided to travel to Italy to see where all pasta originated and learn the techniques of the Italian kitchen. While in Italy, Bryce worked and lived with the Rocca family at their more than a century old restaurant, “Da Felicin” in Monforte d’ Alba, Piemonte. During his stay, he traveled to Liguria, Emilia Romagna, Tuscany, and Rome. Although his travels in Italy were extensive, he always looked forward to coming back to Monforte d’ Alba and the generosity of the Rocca family. Before he left, he asked the family if he could name his new restaurant Rocca, in honor of their amazing hospitality and the relationship they had made.

The bar was busy and the diner service just underway when we arrived and were seated at a table with a lovely backdrop of the sunset.

The menu departs from the cookie cutter offerings that we often see at Italian restaurants. The choices are distinctive and well executed.

We start with the CAULIFLOWER tonnato, herb breadcrumbs and lemon. I had to look up tonnato sauce to learn that it is an aioli made with traditionally with tuna but here they utilize the snapper crudo to flavor. It is subtle and flavorful and nice dipping sauce for the fried cauliflower.

CARPACCIO Florida grass fed beef, horseradish, capers, egg yolk, watercress was fresh and bright with olive oil that is clearly high quality and fruity. We opt to forgo the horseradish and enjoy the complex but simple flavor profile.

We will be back to feast on the TAGLIOLINI al RAGU beef ragu, garlic, basil, 30 month parmigiano.

Knowing that we will be posting on Patch.com is the perfect excuse to order dessert.

Here again they have some very creative options. I did not see a dessert menu on their web site so I am happy I took a photo to share.

We enjoyed the basil custard with rum apples. It was well balanced and delicious.

Roccas is a welcome addition to the burgeoning Heights area and we are excited to visit again.

https://roccatampa.com/

Address: 323 W Palm Ave, Tampa, FL 33602

Hours:
Tuesday - Thursday & Sunday 5–10PM
Friday & Saturday 5–11PM
Phone: (813) 906-5445

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