La Rocca Osteria — Restaurant in Montclair

Having lived in Bologna for 7 years and actually dined several times at San Domenico in Imola, I was looking forward to trying this establishment. Overlooking the menu prior to making the reservation and noticing a signature dish invented by the great chef Nino Bergese who put San Domenico on the map back in the 1970's made my desire to venture into this eatery even more enticing. Unfortunately, La Rocca was a disappointment.

To be fair, I am comparing this eatery to establishments that I have frequented in my life that are way, way above par. I had to make a decision to compare La Rocca to these fine establishments in Europe and select areas of the United States , or establishments that are "run of the mill". After reading the website and the chef flaunting his "stage" in Italy, I decided to compare it to San Domenico. After all, he is extolling the fact of this great experience.

To start, telephoning to make the reservation I was informed that my dining experience would be given a 90 minute time slot. First time I was ever reprimanded before I even sat down to a place that I was spending my money! I guess there is a first time for everything. I wondered if I should test this and wait. Would they escort me out bodily if I went over my temporal allocation or just tell me to get out?

We brought a bottle of Franciacorta as there are few dishes that this wonderful Italian sparking wine does not pair with. I requested fluted glasses to the common Bordeaux glasses that one finds in most restaurants. The server brought out fluted glasses without stems; a real no-no as the proximity of ones hands to such a delicate aroma interferes with the enjoyment of this great product.

I ordered two standard dishes that I use to compare the establishments I eat at. They are simple dishes but they reveal an understanding of great Italian food and whether or not I will return to experience more inventive dishes. The burrata was excellent but it lacked a key ingredient that really brings out the flavor. I had to request balsamic vinegar and place it on it myself. The vinegar was watery and not syrupy as good balsamic should be. The arugula was overpowered by very sweet tomatoes. One had to really try and search out the flavor of arugula.

The second choice was my go to dish, Tagliatelle all Bolognese. The pasta was excellent and cooked correctly. The dish had an epic fail after that. Sprinkling parsley over Tagliatelle alla Bolognese is not correct. While I understand parsley has little flavor and is used primarily to pretty up a dish, a discerning palate can individuate this herb and it does not complement the dish which brings me to it's star, the ragu. It lacked depth of flavor and texture, taking second place to the remainder of the components.

This eatery is popular in Montclair I assume because it is better than run of the mill. I know it is VERY difficult to own a restaurant and I admire any chef who ventures out in such rough waters. I want to make it clear I bear them no malice and wish them continued success. My sincere hope is they take this review as instructive in order to improve and actually bring them...

After making reservations, we were looking forward to a nice pre-concert meal close to the venue. A disappointing start. The hostess seemed confused after we gave her our name for the 5:30 reservation made a few days prior. We were then seated at the most uncomfortable and inappropriate table. There is one table located right in front of the server/runner coffee and water dispensing station. Why there is a table there I will never understand. We asked the manager if we could be seated elsewhere and she was very accommodating and moved us without hesitation. After waiting for 10 minutes, we were finally greeted by our server who supplied us with a menu and water. He then started to tell us about the specials but there were so many, it was impossible to remember them all, and understanding him was very challenging. Kudos to him for regurgitating the entire list but we would have much preferred them printed and provided along with the menu. The food was delivered to the table by a runner and our server was nowhere to be found, so when we requested additional sauce for the lasagna, the runner indicated he would tell our server but that never happened. For an Italian restaurant, they sure are stingy with their sauce, as witnessed by the 2 tablespoons supplied with the calamari.

As our soda ran dry, there we sat without anything to drink and a half eaten lasagna. Our server returned when it was time to pay. At that point he asked how everything was and we told him the lasagna was dry and would have been better with additional sauce but no one accommodated our request. He apparently relayed the message to the manager because she came by the table and expressed concern. She offered to take the lasagna off of the check and we said we ate half and there was no need for her to do that. She insisted and we were not charged for the lasagna.

Overall, the food was good (lasagna a bit dry) and the management was top notch and so there is still hope for this place. But the service, or at least our server, was subpar.

We would like to reiterate, the manager went above and beyond and that was very much...

My family and I have so many special memories from Osteria Giotto (restaurant that once lived in the same space) and we've been eager to try La Rocca for the first time. Last night we went with a party of 6 to celebrate an anniversary.

Pros: -The menu: The menu is diverse and there are great choices for guests with differing palates. There are also countless specials that provide additional choices for the evening. Don't forget to leave room for dessert! It's quite decadent.

-BYOB: It's a BYOB so you can enjoy the beverages of your choice.

-The service: Our server was Bella. She was incredible. Bella was attentive and knowledgeable. She had the entire specials list memorized and could answer any question about the menu with ease.

Cons: -Reservation timing: When we made our reservation, the only time available that worked for our party was 8:30. I called a few days before to see if we could move the time up at all and they said is wasn't possible. We arrived a bit early to the restaurant and they told us it would be a short wait, which was understandable. When we were eventually seated, however, we realized the table had been available the entire time. I'm not sure why they would make a party of 6 wait in a cramped space if the table was available the entire time, especially since we were one of the last tables of the night and no one would be seated after us.

-The noise level: It is extremely loud during peak dining times. It sounds like people are yelling across tables since it's hard to hear one another. The tables are also very close to one another, which amplifies the noise. As it got later and more diners left, it was much easier to converse and enjoy the atmosphere.

All in all, La Rocca is a very special place for a lovely night out. Definitely worth giving a try when in the...