Rocco Ristorante — Restaurant in Rome

what a lovely find. just a few minutes from Termini Station.

do book, by phone. it seems to be a thing they require, but there's no website or booking app.

from the moment you arrive, you seem to be in the present but stepping back into a different time, like watching Call Me By Your Name, is it now, I can't tell but there is a comforting aesthetic that just creates atmosphere.

we arrive laden with bags, it's 35° outside, there's no one sitting out, anywhere. the restaurant is half full on a Monday lunch. the tables are fully napped, the walls are covered in charcoal sketches images of football teams from the 70s & portraits, there is a lovely old marble counter, you can see into the kitchen, it's all very comforting.

we get welcomed in and seated quickly, there's an immediate sense that you are in safe hands, a family of hospitalitarians through and through.

there's a short menu on the wall, three antipasti, two primi and two secondi with two more side dishes, there's an old fashioned cabinet with cherries and chocolate cake, we're sitting beside it.

the waiter deftly explains each item, prosciutto & melon, fried young courgettes or heirloom tomato salad. we chose all three but dropped the salad when saw generous plates going out from the kitchen.

the berlotti bean & pasta is sold out but there is cacio e pepe instead and arrabiatta too, we opt for the latter.

fried meat, Milan style or roast beef are the secondi with rainbow chard & garlic and green beans as sides. we choose the Milanese with both sides.

the wine list is short, focused on small growers and producers. we have a delicious glass of Franciacorta from Lombardy followed by a bottle of Chardonnay Sauvignon recommended by the waiter.

the food comes out in splutters from the kitchen plates going to random tables, the odd cross words from the passé, they are definitely a family, some on the floor, some in the kitchen.

everything is devine, simple, careful, deft even.

the arrabiatta has suck a kick, it really stood out.

as lunch finishes up we notice we are the only non locals many table pop a head in the kitchen to thank everyone by name, like Cheers.

we skip dessert, as we have a train to catch.

I'll dream of Rocco, you...

The idea of a restaurant is to ALWAYS follow the rules of hospitality. We were walking around the neighborhood and thought to eat here.

There’s no sign outdoors or indoors, or even a hostess (as most reservation restaurants do have) saying that it is” reservation only”, so we sat on a table outside, like any other brasserie. The Chef or the waiter came outside a little bit disturbed and rampant attitude because we just sat down on his outdoor table. And I quote what he said “you should ask before sit on a table, we’re fully booked, you can’t stay here”.

The problem is the owners attitude or the way of saying things, especially on the hospitality industry and also in a tourist destination such as Rome. Can’t say if I can recommend the food, but the “service” lacks A LOT of learning and training to be a good place to go.

If you’re a tourist, be prepared and make a reservation if you can to avoid this kind...

Cute little restaurant in an unassuming part of town. The vibe is casual but chic, mostly creatives and foodies sit in the ten table restaurant surrounded by cool art all co-ordinated in red and black colours.

The blackboard changes every night with specials. Then there are the staples on the menu. Of course pasta features. Veggies beware ..not many options for you here.

Nice wine list and there are a few secret bottles not written out. Our waiter gave us a beautiful bottle of crisp white, not in the list for a cool 24euro.

Loses one star as the dessert was a bit disappointing...we ordered tiramisu which I guess was their own version. One very thick layer of cream and a slightly underwhelming layer of sponge.

Rocco is one of my favourites despite and I see many more wine fueled evenings here with good, company and...