Bocca Restaurant & Bar
“The hot pasta is placed in the opening and swirled around as it cause more of the cheese wheel to melt as it mixes together.”
“I especially love their veal meatballs with chick peas and this pasta that they serve from a huge block of cheese (look for Tonnarelli cacio e pepe).”
“A friend had the Strozzapreti Alla Norcina house made fresh twisted tubes pasta with sweet sausage, touch of cream and grated imported smoked buffalo mozzar.”
Bocca Restaurant & Bar
Takes Reservations: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Happy Hour: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$$ Price range $31-60
8 reviews
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We were initially surprised at how few tables were taken for a weekday lunch hour, but by the time we left we understood why. For one thing, the banquettes which surround the room are decidedly uncomfortable, for another, it was clear that none of the staff cared about whether we were enjoying our food. Today's soup of the day, for example, was apparently made by someone who didn't know how to make soup, but no one asked our opinion or commented on our returning (full) bowls uneaten. The pastas we tried were satisfactory, although hardly calling cards for an Italian (-American) restaurant, and although the bread was likewise satisfactory (without being distinguished) the dipping sauce–its contents were never announced and it didn't appear (or taste like) any olive oil was part of it, didn't add to the meal. The panna cotta for desert would have done better without the (somewhat sad) blueberries. Although wine is often overpriced in Manhattan restaurants, given the reasonable price of a set lunch here ($17) offering no bottles under $40 is an unfortunate decision.
Come on a Sunday- 1/2 price for all wine bottles. Bocca was a nice little find after working all day. My boyfriend and I decided to treat ourselves for being such dedicated employees, working on a weekend and all. We went around 5:30pm. It was very quiet and empty, aside from one other family. Waitstaff was attentive and friendly. Food was delicious, although I am a big leftover fan and didn't have anything to take home unfortunately (perfect amount of food for 1 meal). I had homemade wheat cavatelli. Mmm, mmm good. A little pricey for the portion size, but we saved a few bucks with the 1/2 price wine. Also, the meal I had was unique and not something you can get anywhere.
My family and I grabbed a quick and very early dinner here before catching the 7:30pm showing of Lincoln over on 14th and Bway (which was great, btw).
I couldn't decide on an entree so I went with my classic backup plan and ordered two appetizers: the arugula salad and eggplant parm. The salad was a generous portion for an appetizer and consisted of fresh baby arugula with roasted butternut squash, mushroom and parmigiano in a balsamic dressing. A very tasty, well-balanced mixture of savory and salty flavors. The eggplant (timballino di melanzane alla parmigiana) was good as well. It was shaped like a fist-sized stack of mini pancakes, and was the perfect portion to compliment my salad. Good sauce to cheese ratio and the eggplant was cooked perfectly.
Can't comment much on the ambiance as we were the only ones in the place (aside from the few couples at the bar), but our server was pleasant and did her best to cater to our time restraints. While the food was solid, I probably wouldn't return here simply because there are SO many other Italian restaurants in this city and Bocca did not blow my socks off.
4 for ambiance, 2 for food, but at the end of the day the food was just really really bland. Got the fettuccine with beef cheeks and needed to add sauce. I appreciated that they let us sit there for awhile though.
I love this place. I usually sit at the bar and eat, and its usually quiet. Atmosphere is dimmed lighting, which I like. I usually order the lamb pappardelle which is amazing. I like the fact that the owner is there whenever I go. This place is definitely worth trying.
When wandering around in the no-man's-land that lies between the Squares of Union and Madison, you might find yourself in search of a sit-down lunch.
If Italian sounds appealing, you can do a lot worse than Bocca. It appears to be a secret judging by the absolutely empty (but well-appointed) dining room, but they offer a whole host of panini and pasta for only $9. I was quite pleased with my pappardelle al ragu di agnello (braised lamb shank), and she equally satisfied by her rigatoni.
After all, it isn't often you can sit down for quality, cooked to order, flavorful pasta in Manhattan at this price point. To be sure, the portions aren't enormous, but combined with very decent bread and what I believe to be a (quite tasty) sun-dried tomato dip, you can easily make it your midday meal.
My first real experience in New York took place here.
I got off the plane, hoped on the shuttle, arrived at my friends apt, set my bags down & we headed out.
Originally planning to grab a small bite and a glass or five of wine elsewhere, we ended up here after realizing the wait at our first option was far too long.
I'm very glad this was the case!
At first sight, Bocca is decorated nicely and has a very intimate, yet welcoming vibe.
We grabbed a seat at the bar and met our wonderful bartender – (whose name escapes me unfortunately, because he deserves a shout out) who guided us through the menu and picked our wines for us, based on his first impressions. He did very well. I loved the personal touch.
We spent a decent amount of time here – chatting with him about California and New York, sipping wine, making our way through a cheeseboard…and I immediately began to feel like I was at home in this city.
It was a wonderful experience and if i had more time or lived in the city, I would have loved to return for a real meal – the food looked amazing.
Quick tips: Very nice appetizer presentation with candied walnuts and figs with our cheese plate. The salmon was good and flavorful. Great wine selection. A nice place to impress, especially for a date. It is a bit loud. They take reservations on Open Table and I would make them. It seemed pretty crowded for a Thursday night. Pretty expensive. I'm not sure I would come back here for the price.
Food: I was here for an interview dinner so it was nice to get a really decadent assortment of appetizers. The cheese and meat plate was a nice start. The meatballs were very flavorful, but the portion was very small – three meatballs. The pan seared Alaskan salmon was cooked well, the potatoes were thinly sliced and had a delicate spice. I was disappointed in the broccoli rabe. To be honest, I had entree envy. The cappricci (durum pasta with sausage, cream and buffalo mozzarella) looked great and got amazing reviews from my peers. If I wasn't concerned about fitting into a wedding dress, that would have been my entree. What knocked off an extra star was the cannoli…. so excited about the cannoli and when I bit down into it, what flavor do I taste but LEMON!? Lemon cannoli… no thank you. The filling was also off, someone at the table mentioned it was too light and possibly whipped too much and I agree.
Service: Can't complain, but I wasn't paying attention.
Ambiance: Very cute and intimate. Good for a date, catching up with friends, and a place to impress. A bit loud though.