Rocco DiSpirito is back on the New York dining grid with Bar Rocco, an Italian‑American brasserie perched on the second floor of the new Kimpton Era hotel near Rockefeller Center. The 108‑seat spot is the chef’s first full‑scale New York project in roughly six years, and DiSpirito says he is in the kitchen every day. The room is set up for classic, repeatable Italian‑American plates that are meant to work as reliable, everyday meals rather than splurge‑only events.
Where it sits
According to Bar Rocco, the restaurant occupies the second floor at 32 W. 48th St. and looks out toward Rockefeller Center. Nation's Restaurant News reports that the space is operated by the Apicii group in partnership with Extell Development and seats about 108 guests.
Menu highlights and prices
The menu leans into hearty, familiar dishes with a few high‑end flourishes. As listed on OpenTable, standouts include Mama’s Meatballs ($20), Sunday Gravy Lasagna ($32), Paccheri Pesto Rosso with Argentine red shrimp ($29) and a Caesar salad ($19). The "Rocco’s Big Italian Burger" runs $28, with the menu crediting an aged‑wagyu blend from Pat LaFrieda, and early coverage from The Infatuation notes that the kitchen walks a line between comfort and polish.
Rocco’s return to the kitchen
DiSpirito is framing the opening as a personal return, telling the New York Post, "New York is where I started and it's where I learned how people actually want to eat; Bar Rocco is designed to feel personal, but also a place you can come back to any time and trust." His last full‑time New York post was at the Standard Grill in 2020, and this opening follows several years of television projects, books and pop‑ups.
What Midtown diners should expect
Bar Rocco debuts as the first of four dining concepts at the Kimpton Era Midtown New York, part of an Apicii‑led rollout that will also include an all‑day Parlor, a Latin steakhouse and a rooftop izakaya, according to a press release via PR Net. Coverage so far describes Bar Rocco as an approachable stop for market‑sourced Italian cooking with Rockefeller Center in view, and reservations are available through standard booking platforms.
