In the newly developing and emerging art district in SOWA (South of Washington) art galleries and restaurants are emerging. One of them is Rocca on 500 Harrison Avenue (South End). I recently went with my friend and we nibbled on a few small plates of food. Portions are very small and not inexpensive but the quality of the food was fresh and well executed.
The space is nice with the bar at the bottom of the stairs, some nice out door seating but we went upstairs. There is a private events area that can be closed off. I had the house beer which was not bad. The bread was fine and the olive oil was lovely to dip our bread in. The prices were on the higher end and the portions miniscule in comparison the prices. A great places for just dabbling in the little plates but you will need a few of them to be satisfied.
Wild Mushroom Toasts with pecorino 5
Meatball Slider with provolone, fresh tomatoes & basil 6
Handrolled Trofie with pesto 10
Veal-Stuffed Zucchini with fresh tomato sauce 7
Cioccolata Bis chocolate ganache in a dark chocolate crust 7
(one not listed is the shrimp pasta dish)
Everything was great, from the earthiness of the mushrooms on the toasts, meatball slider with great sauce, the trofie and pesto (delicious), veal stuffed zucchini delicious and the pasta and shrimp lovely. The Cioccolata bis chocolate ganache was quality dark chocolate served with fresh whipped cream great to cut the chocolate's richness.
Service was great, location is not great (located in upcoming SOWA) my friend DW did not feel comfortable walking around as it was a bit far from places she knows. Space was beautiful, service attentative and they were trying to please as it just opened a few months ago.
I give it 9 forks out of 10 forks.
