65366 Tue Dec 28 11:45:33 -0800 2004 3 2 Los Angeles Area 0 352143 Have dinner res. at Rocca in Santa Monica this weekend. Online menu looks good. Is it good? Has anyone been there? What are the prices like? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. Tue Dec 28 11:45:33 -0800 2004 0 joepg 1 352163 Here is the menu from a wine dinner we did there last night with 25 guests. It was AMAZING: WINE EXPO and Rocca present la Cena di Troppo Buona (Too Much Good Dinner) Champagne Reception: Crostini Misti, Eggplant Caponata, Mushrooms Trifolati, Tuna Spuma, Grilled Panini with Black Truffle Caciotta, Grilled Shrimp Spedini Arrabiata, Pheasant Arancini Guy Larmandier Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Cramant Millésime 1998 H. Billiot Brut Cuvée Tradition Grand Cru à Ambonnay Vilmart & Cie Grand Cuvée Creation 1996 Brut à Rilly Antipasti Roasted Marrow Bones with Parsley Salad and Fettunta, Honey-Crisp Carrot Sformato with Pan-Fried Squab Livers, Spicy Braised Fennel with Mint, Anchovies and Mollica, Roasted Cauliflower with Gaetas and Caperberries. Plus A Study of Prosciutto: San Daniele, Parma Gran Riserva, Culatello, Speck Il Falchetto Langhe Arneis 2003, Piemonte Laimburg Südtirol Riesling 2003, Alto Adige Marco Donati Lagrein Rosato Fratte Alte 2003, Trentino Primi Rigatoni Al Forno With Chanterelles, Goat Cheese, White Truffle Essence and Breadcrumbs Conti Sertoli Salis Valtellina Superiore Corte Della Meridiana 1999, Lombardia Curto Rosso Fontanelle 1999, Sicilia Balgera Vini Sforzato Tradizionale Valtellina Superiore 1996, Lombardia Short Rib Angolotti With Pan Drippings and Asiago Mustilli Sant’Agata dei Goti Aglianico Vigna Cesco di Nece 1999, Campania Enzo Mecella Rosso Conero Riserva Rubelliano 1998, le Marche BelColle Barbaresco Roncaglie 1999, Piemont Secondi Barbequed Leg of Lamb With Salsa Verde and Minted Yogurt, Anson Mills Polenta, Chestnut Honey Glazed Turnips, Pea Tendrils Salvioni Brunello di Montalcino Cerbaiola 1999, Toscana Barone de Cles Vigneti delle Dolomiti Rosso Cardinale 1999, Trentino Baltieri Amarone della Valpolicella Sortilegio 2000, Veneto Dolci Warm Chocolate Nutella Cake with Caramel Gelato and Frangelico Sauce Salvatore Murana Moscato Passito di Pantelleria Khamma 2000, Sicilia Cascina Fonda Vendemmia Tardiva 2003, Piemonte If you are going on Sunday, get the Ragú Napolitano (various meates braised for days with a sauce made from the juices then the meats served as the main course). Also, every Tuesday nite is The Celebration of the Pig with a whole Roman style Porchetta. Don can really cook and the staff is outstanding. Roberto Tue Dec 28 14:05:53 -0800 2004 352143 0 Roberto Rogness 1 352253 I've been there almost weekly since it opened. Except for a small dip right after it was "discovered" last fall, the food has been uniformly exceptional. Just had my fourth Tuesday night "pig dinner"--they roast a pig each week. It's ingenious rustic Italian, with fine ingredients, a smart wine list, and prices too low for its Santa Monica location (don't tell them). Wed Dec 29 03:36:06 -0800 2004 352143 0 ira zipkin 1 352267 I dined there a few months ago, and it was EXCELLENT. It was a friday night and the service was warm and honest. The menu is done in an Italian dinner style, with the pastas being the 'primis' which means the portions where SMALL. Also, the prices are on the high end of moderate... Everything I had was excellent * Procuitto Platter - shared this with several people at the table and LOVED it... * House Salad with Apples - Not overdressed and very yummy * Ricotta Gnocchi with Oxtail Ragu - again, portion was small, but this dish was SO rich... One of the best thing I had all year... I'm sure I had a bite of SOME dessert afterwards, but that gnoochi was just the highlight. And I was full after the meal... :D Finally if this means anything to you, that same night, we came in as Spielburg and Hanks, looking very happy were walking out... --Dommy! Wed Dec 29 12:11:48 -0800 2004 352143 0 Dommy!