Rocca is a Michelin Star Italian restaurant and a love letter from Chef and Owner Bryce Bonsack to the family whom he worked for and lived with during his time abroad in Monforte d’Alba.
Rocca brings fresh handmade pasta, tableside mozzarella, dry aged meats, creative cocktails, and an extensive Italian wine list to the Tampa Heights neighborhood.
Inspired by the old and the new, Chef creates an ever changing menu influenced by both classical recipes learned while training in Italy as well as modern techniques honed working in cutting edge kitchens in New York.
Chef Bryce Bonsack, Executive Chef/Owner
Chef Bryce Bonsack’s culinary background includes multiple years of experience working in two Michelin starred New York City restaurants Blanca and Corton.
With a thirst for old world knowledge, Chef Bryce spent a year traveling and training through northern regions of Italy, mostly Piedmont, where the Rocca family took him under their wing for several seasons.
Rocca is his first restaurant as chef and owner, and an homage to his tutelage and pilgrimage to Italy. Rocca has received the first and only 10/10 rating from Tampa Bay Times critic Helen Freund as well as Creative Loafing’s “Best Chef” in 2020, less than a year after he opened Rocca. Most recently, Rocca received a highly coveted Michelin Star from the Guide in 2023.
Chef Nick Orr, Chef de Cuisine
Nick Orr’s restaurant career began when he was just fifteen years old. He worked directly under Chef Pano Karatassos at Kyma in Atlanta for over 6 years until he earned the Sous Chef position.
In search of a new challenge, Nick moved to Manhattan to work under Chef Éric Ripert at the lauded three-star Michelin restaurant, Le Bernardin for over a year.
After working in New York, Chef Nick relocated to South Beach to work again under his Mentor Chef Pano at Lobster Bar and Sea Grille until joining the Rocca opening team in Tampa.
Chef Nick has worked and lived with the Rocca family in Monforte d’ Alba at the height of white truffle season, learning first-hand the tasks of making fresh pasta, cleaning baskets of truffles, and living the Italian lifestyle.
