The atmosphere was lively and modern, making it a fun place to hang out with friends, but the food…read moreand drinks were a bit hit-or-miss. The burgers were decent, though slightly overcooked, and the fries came out lukewarm.

Amazing food and service! I loved that it was on the water as well, definitely recommend!read more

We went there on May 10 for brunch. Our server, Sam was great and took care of my wife's…read moregluten-free allergy request. The interior is very nice. Very warm and inviting. The four of us each ordered a different dish and all the food was very good. Toward the end of the meal, one of the managers came by and said happy ladies day, which we thought was very strange since it was Mother's Day. It was kind of insulting if you can't call something the correct day you're better off not saying anything at all.

Went here for a friend's birthday. This restaurant has a Mediterranean flair and it was absolutely…read morestunning inside and out we opted for the outdoor seating. The weather was great, so it was nice to be sitting outside and enjoying each other's company. Our server Frankie was super nice and explained every cocktail with detail as well as the entrées. He shared some of the popular entrées as well as his favorite. I had the limoncello martini, which was absolutely delicious. The lemon and vanilla had the perfect pairing flavor that made for a refreshing drink. And then I had the chicken Milanese for an entree. The chicken was nice and crispy and the flavors were just well put together. The highlight of the dish with the tahini sauce, which was a nice twist. At the end of the dinner, he surprised our friend with olive oil cake, which was so delicious. Recently, I have tried olive cake and it has definitely been a nice different treat instead of the usual dessert offerings. Would love to return soon when visiting Tampa again!

First time was amazing . The service was excellent . You have to start out with the Mozzarella…read moreCart. Freshly made at table side. The Bluefin Tuna Crudo was so fresh you couldn't tell it was fish. Excellent blend of flavors. Agnolotti pasta was a Fav. It is spicy but delicious. Fettuccine Tartufo with black truffle butter was excellent. We all agreed all the dishes were perfectly done and would order again .

Mozzarella Cart Watch: It's taken a few years, but it's up to almost $50! Honestly not a bad…read moreincrease given the general inflation environment over the past few years. (though still comically high) Rocca continues to be solid, if not spectacular. Two things I think hold it back; first, value. The prices feel too high relative to the portion/tastiness. A great comparison restaurant to Rocca would be Rezdora in Manhattan. I would put Rezdora a few rungs above Rocca in quality/flavor (it's one of the top 100 restaurants in NYC per the NY Times and has a Michelin star, very different than landing one in Tampa) yet the prices at Rocca are effectively the same (each have a traditional ragu at $28). You also don't have to look as far as Manhattan. Just across the bay is Elliott Aster who I think delivers more delicious food, in heartier portions, at a better price point. Given Rocca is perpetually fully-booked, Tampa is obviously okay with their prices, so I suppose 'don't hate the player' (you can't begrudge anyone from charging what they can in this restaurant environment), but for me the value isn't there. Second - I think the inside could use some work. Looking at Eliott Aster, Predalina, or Ponte you can see an example of more elevated interior design. I think Rocca comes off more kitschy than 'homey'.

**Tampa Bay's New Espresso Martini Champion!!**…read more Wow, I came here once for a yelp event like a year ago, and never once returned. I walk past here on the time on my way to Yard House and thought I'd finally stop in again and try some cocktails and food. Whoops, jokes on me for waiting this long to come back. The Edition Hotel next door used to have the best espresso martinis, but they've since changed their ingredients and in general the cocktails over there have tanked. Boulon still makes great cocktails, but hello we have a new challenger at Ash. I loved the espresso martini here. Flavor, espresso, cocoa powder all spot on. Plus it's only $17. A lot cheaper than most of the other bars around here. I also had a $19 Let me be clear. For whatever reason, only Santos Kitchen down the street knows how to make a fabulous mezcal drink. I also had a $25 Tonnarelli. OMG! When pesto is done right it's always my favorite sauce for pasta. This dish was freaking phenomenal. I might go back tomorrow and have another one. Super impressed both times I've been here. Not sure why I haven't ever kept this spot in the rotation, but I need to.

We had such a fantastic dining experience at Ash last night that I felt compelled to leave a…read morereview. From start to finish, everything was exceptional and our server Jill absolutely made the evening. Jill spent so much time with us, thoughtfully walking us through the menu and helping us choose dishes based on what we actually like. She explained that the servers "tag team" tables at Ash; if one server is tied up at a table, another jumps in to check on guests so no one feels forgotten. Such a smart system, and you could really feel the level of hospitality. Jill's recommendations were spot on. We are not big bread people and honestly don't even usually like focaccia, but she insisted we order the focaccia with whipped ricotta and herb oil. I'm still thinking about it. Calling it focaccia almost feels inaccurate; it was unlike any bread I've ever had. More like a piece of heaven. We started with the hamachi, which had the perfect amount of spice -flavorful and fresh without being overpowering. For dinner, we ordered the chicken cutlets and two pasta dishes: the strozzapreti with wagyu beef cheek and hazelnuts, and the mafalde with black truffle, miso, and cacio e pepe. Both pastas were incredible: rich in flavor but still delicate and not overly heavy or filling. Just perfect. We also tried the "perfect skinny margarita," and the name fits: not too sweet, not too tart, just really balanced and delicious. And because we are serious dessert people, we couldn't leave without trying dessert. The marzipan sundae and namelaka absolutely delivered. We don't indulge often, but this meal was 100% worth the calories. If you haven't booked Ash yet, highly recommend. Exceptional food, incredible service, and a dining experience that actually lives up to the hype.