Fromage heaven last night in the South End

Lovely wine vendor with some great cheese samples too!

Left to right-Pecorino di Pienza (Tuscano, Italia), French mild Brie, French Clochettte






Last night, I visited the South End Formaggio which was a great place! I had to pick up some cheeses for a party last night around the corner. The counter person who helped me as great! I got three great cheeses at a reasonable price and all were enjoyed! Since we were not sure who was coming, I got a mild French Brie, Tuscan Pecorino (hard cheese from sheep's milk) and a French bell shaped (Clochette) goat's milk cheese. All were great and delicious! The wine vendor giving some wine tastings was very friendly and helpful! All the three wines she had me try were great and their prices were affordable! (I kept within budget and I loved having the different samples! The person who assisted me was awesome!) It was fun trying the various cheese and learning about a lot of different types and their tastes.

I love to take pics of wine labels of of signs about the foods I try. One woman behind me thought it was a great idea! She loves to try the various cheeses but always forgets the names. I said it is easier to take a pic than have a pen and paper. Plus it gives you a visual of the item you are trying to remember. (I am glad I helped someone out.)

The only other cheese shop I have been to is Cowgirl Creamery in San Francisco in the Ferry Building, I heard there is on in the Washington DC area.

Rocca ---new Italian restaurant in the South End

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.