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 Bonsack graduated from Tampa Catholic before he began working in restaurants while attending college at Auburn University.
While working under Chef David Bancroft at Amsterdam Cafe, he made the decision to attend the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. While attending culinary school, Bryce interned under Chef Paul Liebrandt at Corton, a two-star Michelin-rated restaurant in New York City. He also interned under Chef Pano Karatassos at his flagship restaurant Kyma in Atlanta.
While working under Chef David Bancroft at Amsterdam Cafe, he made the decision to attend the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. While attending culinary school, Bryce interned under Chef Paul Liebrandt at Corton, a two-star Michelin-rated restaurant in New York City. He also interned under Chef Pano Karatassos at his flagship restaurant Kyma in Atlanta.
Reviews (22)
Simonne Valdez
Feb 03, 2022
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My first visit of many. Everything we had was on point. So many flavors and the service was great too!
🤤💭 here’s what we got 👇
(Yes, I thought there’d be a soft yolk in there 🙈)
✨ TORTELLO all’ UOVO
egg yolk center, ricotta filling, roasted and shaved mushrooms
✨ HIRAMASA CARPACCIO green apple, capers, horseradish, nasturtium
✨ MOZZARELLA CART
heirloom tomato, basil, 10 year aged balsamic vinegar (worth it)
Dessert(s) not pictured:
🍨 Pistachio Gelato
🍋 Lemon Tart
Check out the table side caprese cart experience at @hereforthef00d Instagram
🤤💭 here’s what we got 👇
(Yes, I thought there’d be a soft yolk in there 🙈)
✨ TORTELLO all’ UOVO
egg yolk center, ricotta filling, roasted and shaved mushrooms
✨ HIRAMASA CARPACCIO green apple, capers, horseradish, nasturtium
✨ MOZZARELLA CART
heirloom tomato, basil, 10 year aged balsamic vinegar (worth it)
Dessert(s) not pictured:
🍨 Pistachio Gelato
🍋 Lemon Tart
Check out the table side caprese cart experience at @hereforthef00d Instagram
Sarah B.
Jan 31, 2022
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Great place! Heard so much about it!! Been there twice now. Everyone has loved it including me! Staff was wonderful! Got the mozzarella cart both times! Loved it! The espresso martini is amazing! Fresh bread & oil is great! Pasta dishes were amazing! Will be back again! Love the variety! Waiters were terrific! Decor and ambiance is beautiful! Here are some photos from my visits!
Emma O.
Jan 31, 2022
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Miranda
Jan 30, 2022
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Highly recommend making a reservation.
We enjoyed the mozzarella cart though it is no where near worth $35.
The truffle pasta was my least favorite, I LOVE truffle though this dish was about a 2/10 for me. The pasta was dry/hard in texture, and very little sauce.
The duck was amazing. A very potent cherry and orange taste (I do wish this sauce would of been served on the side instead of poured all over). It was tender and cooked very well. They only make a limited amount of ducks each night so do call ahead and reserve yours if you wish to order it (it was $125 and fed 2 people with average
We enjoyed the mozzarella cart though it is no where near worth $35.
The truffle pasta was my least favorite, I LOVE truffle though this dish was about a 2/10 for me. The pasta was dry/hard in texture, and very little sauce.
The duck was amazing. A very potent cherry and orange taste (I do wish this sauce would of been served on the side instead of poured all over). It was tender and cooked very well. They only make a limited amount of ducks each night so do call ahead and reserve yours if you wish to order it (it was $125 and fed 2 people with average
April Lee
Jan 28, 2022
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This was a fabulous experience. We had Dwain, and he was the most excellent server I’ve seen in a while. He really enlightens the entire experience with best recommendations. He’s just so friendly, and made us feel like we were the most welcomed people at the restaurant. He listened to us to see what would be best for first diners like us, and even knew what we needed when we forgot to order bread. He even suggested we save mozzarella for our dinner meal, so we can enjoy our meal. Because of that, we were able to enjoy everything thoroughly. The food was also best we’ve had in Tampa, and
Erica H.
Jan 24, 2022
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Such a beautiful experience. Came here for my little sister's birthday and we both agreed it was a 10/10. Just come here, request Kaitlyn as your server, order the table side mozzarella + whatever else you want, and you will have zero regrets.
My top favorites were the table side mozzarella, absolutely amazing having it prepared table side and so so good. The citrus mock tail, kinda fruity, slightly sweet, I loved it. The bread, it's like $5, comes with two pieces of rustic bread and two pieces of focaccia accompanied by lemon butter butter topped with the most delicious olive oil you
My top favorites were the table side mozzarella, absolutely amazing having it prepared table side and so so good. The citrus mock tail, kinda fruity, slightly sweet, I loved it. The bread, it's like $5, comes with two pieces of rustic bread and two pieces of focaccia accompanied by lemon butter butter topped with the most delicious olive oil you
Jovan Milakovic
Jan 21, 2022
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Vladan Milakovic
Jan 20, 2022
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Loanne N.
Jan 17, 2022
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A hip, loud establishment with bar area and great modern Italian food. We had to make a reservation well in advance as it fills up quick. We ordered the bread with lemon butter and sea salt and the mozzarella cart for appetizers. The mozzarella is made tableside and comes with fresh basil and heirloom tomatoes, topped with cracked black pepper, olive oil and 10 year aged balsamic vinegar. Would highly recommend both.
For entrees, would recommend the linguine al limone which is a modern take on clam linguine and has a zesty, lemon note with a spicy undertone from the shishito peppers. Would also
For entrees, would recommend the linguine al limone which is a modern take on clam linguine and has a zesty, lemon note with a spicy undertone from the shishito peppers. Would also
My Lam
Jan 06, 2022
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The service is really friendly and professional. Presentation of the food is good and the appetizer is delicious, but the food is overwhelming sour from all the lemon they put. The mozzarella is good and the presentation is wonderful and informative. The steak we ordered is really fatty and chewy, but the broccoli that came with it was EXTREMELY sour, taste like lemon. The food is good, but need to put less lemon. Cute place for date night and hang out. I love the music and atmosphere. Would come back again, but hopefully, the food could be less sour next time.
Razy R.
Jan 05, 2022
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Super cute spot, great music and service. LOVED the espresso martini. This was a favorite. All the food was pretty good and flavorful. Our tuna appetizer was probably my fav. Def unique and flavorful. Super pretty too! The entrees were very good. Nothing out of this world as far as Italian food in my opinion BUT they were delicious and definitely different. These were entrees you wouldn't get anywhere else. We're def coming back because the duck on the menu sounded amazing and they ran out of burnt cheesecake which we really wanted ( you can reserve one on the phone since they only make
Chris Ferri
Jan 05, 2022
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Reservations are a good idea. We walked in on a Tuesday night, tonight, and they were fully book. First come sesting in the bar. There are 14 or so seats at the bar proper and 2 high tops that serve 4. We had excellent service.
We ran the bases on this one with appetizers, entrees, and dessert. As well as alcohol for one of us. All of the staff is very friendly amd helpful. Great knowledge of the menu from the bartender taking care of us. Great guy, dark hair, mustache. He was the shorter of the 2 working. Next trip we will order the Mozzarella to be made tableside. Mozzarella pulled fresh at
We ran the bases on this one with appetizers, entrees, and dessert. As well as alcohol for one of us. All of the staff is very friendly amd helpful. Great knowledge of the menu from the bartender taking care of us. Great guy, dark hair, mustache. He was the shorter of the 2 working. Next trip we will order the Mozzarella to be made tableside. Mozzarella pulled fresh at
Ashley B.
Dec 28, 2021
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Got to experience the mozz cart and that was something to be seen. Fresh tomatoes and cheese that was perfectly drizzled with that yummy balsamic and basil. We had lots of apps as well and I highly recommend the lamb skewers which was the best dish we had in my opinion. The spaghetti bolognese was also very tasty, but the bronzino was a little bit salty for my taste and the other pasta dish didn't deliver enough flavor
Sonja Rosario
Dec 06, 2021
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The service is fantastic, they provide clean silverware for every plate, and clean your table frequently. Vibe is modern with a casual chic flare. We ordered the mozzarella cart for the freshest caprese salad ever. For dinner we had the raviolini del plan(so amazing, definitely order) and girelle al forno (just okay... heavy taste of spinach, i wouldn't order again), and for dessert the pistachio gelato (the honey and sea salt make this extra special). Great spot to catch up with friends or for a nice date.
Prudence T.
Dec 01, 2021
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Came here with some friends. It was great. We got the cheese that they make right at your table.
We got a big fish, I think it was Branzino, that served many people. Honestly, we tried a bunch of items and they were all quite good, so if Im craving Italian, I will be back.
Great date night type vibe, not really a kid type restaurant.
We got a big fish, I think it was Branzino, that served many people. Honestly, we tried a bunch of items and they were all quite good, so if Im craving Italian, I will be back.
Great date night type vibe, not really a kid type restaurant.
Lara T.
Nov 25, 2021
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I've been trying to get a reservation for this place for weeks but if it isn't a couple weeks in advance I couldn't make one. So I made a reservation 3 weeks ago for tonight. The place is beautiful, located at the bottom of the Pearl apartments next to Armature works. Excellent wine menu. I was advised we had to start with the mozzarella cart where they use cheese curds and hot water to manually stretch the mozzarella for a lovely and delicious caprese dish. Very creative and a popular seller, beautiful presentation . For my main meal I had the Gizelle al Forno: berkshire pork shank
Brittany L.
Nov 05, 2021
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Rocca , located across from Armature Works, is a must-have Tampa dining experience.
When you walk in, dimmed lights and trendy decor set the mood for an elevated dining experience.
An array of small bites such as shrimp fritti and lamb arrosticini provide mouth-watering options, but the mozzarella cart is what truly steals the show.
For dinner, a variety of pasta options will please any pallete. However, if dining with a group I recommend sharing the Branzino served alongside roasted potatoes. It does not disappoint.
And finally, if you're still hungry, the pistachio gelato provides
When you walk in, dimmed lights and trendy decor set the mood for an elevated dining experience.
An array of small bites such as shrimp fritti and lamb arrosticini provide mouth-watering options, but the mozzarella cart is what truly steals the show.
For dinner, a variety of pasta options will please any pallete. However, if dining with a group I recommend sharing the Branzino served alongside roasted potatoes. It does not disappoint.
And finally, if you're still hungry, the pistachio gelato provides
Angel Woivc
Nov 01, 2021
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John O.
Oct 30, 2021
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Luke B.
Oct 11, 2021
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Rocca truly deserves 6 stars. The welcoming hospitality is unmatched, the Italian flare, homemade pasta, decor...it's all just amazing even down to the dinner plates and the politeness of every staff member. Our party of 4 ordered just about everything available on the menu, and no choice disappointed! My compliments to Chef Bonsack's who even came to our table to greet us. Enjoy a pre-dinner walk with views of the Tampa skyline in an elegant setting in The Heights District. I absolutely loved this place and the experience, which honestly is the reason why anyone choses to dine out.
Anat S.
Aug 12, 2021
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This is a great place for dinner. The cocktails are so interesting and flavorful, especially the one with the guava. The mozzarella table is not cheap but is really cool to see them preparing the cheese in the front of you, plus it's tasty. It's a big dish so it's great as a shareable appetizer. The pasta dishes are not very big and they were good but not amazing. Service is friendly and the atmosphere is inviting.
I will be back.
I will be back.
Christina L.
Jul 09, 2021
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Okay first of all, our server was incredibly knowledgeable, a PRO with the mozzarella (he talked about making a Google Doc for all things mozzarella cheese) and every dish was well done.
Mozzarella texture was great and the presentation was beautiful, and informative.
Appetizers - Mozzarella + Calamari
Entrees - Agnolotti (our table liked it so much, two orders were placed and I didn't snag a photo. Yep, that good!). It had various depths of flavor. Kind of chewy (in a good way), a little kick of spice, and texture from the garlic breadcrumbs.
Gnocchi - Classic, cooked well, flavorful
Mozzarella texture was great and the presentation was beautiful, and informative.
Appetizers - Mozzarella + Calamari
Entrees - Agnolotti (our table liked it so much, two orders were placed and I didn't snag a photo. Yep, that good!). It had various depths of flavor. Kind of chewy (in a good way), a little kick of spice, and texture from the garlic breadcrumbs.
Gnocchi - Classic, cooked well, flavorful