THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Rocca

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Rocca Restaurant Review:

From erstwhile Michela’s to Rialto (now owned solely by Jody Adams) to blu, restaurateur Michela Larson has trail-blazed her way through this town. Her venture, Rocca, literally breaks new ground---it’s the first of many planned eateries to open on Harrison Avenue, stretching the boundaries of the South End. But it’s conceptually ambitious as well. With a glassed-in ground-floor bar leading upstairs to a dining room of soothing gray-blue and rusty orange, the spacious Italian eatery is emphasizing the coastal cuisine of Liguria, lesser known despite the fact that pesto originated here. Indeed, the region’s emphasis on herbs, as well as seafood, is something to consider when you order: small-sized but big-flavored antipasti such as marinated sardines and sweet-and-sour shrimp, Italian-style, make the most of both, as does an entrée of whole roast fish with olives and potatoes, while pastas like trofie, trenette and panzotti are garden-bright with basil, parsley and sage. Conversely, ubiquitous trends like sliders and short ribs, while perfectly fine, don’t bring anything new to the table; skip such filling indulgences in favor of dessert---torrone-like smashed almond bark with chocolate for dipping is a fun treat.