La Rocchetta

Really excellent restaurant - ask for the table with the river view - magical.

Christmas came early for me yesterday when I was taken to La Rocchetta. This wonderful little restaurant is a throwback to my youth in 1960's Italian Soho establishments. The same atmosphere, music and great food and wine. I'm going back and back

We have just enjoyed a beautiful meal at La Rochetta with a warm greeting from Max. Highlights included beautiful minestrone soup, delightful cooked veal and really tender lamp cutlets. We will be back. Jon, Nick and Lindsay

Had a lovely lunch last Friday outside in the sunshine, with my daughter, my lamb cutlets were superb, so juicy I had to pick the bones.
My daughter really enjoyed the lasagna, the service was impeccable and friendly, I will definitely return.

I went along to this restaurant with a friend of the family, I have never been made so welcome in my life, it was Ali's 50th Birthday, Max, Ali & their mother are a very loving family, within 10 mins I felt part of the family, the food was lovely, the story's that Max & Ali told was funny & very interesting, their mum is a lady in a million. I must say boys I did not feel out of place once, I can't wait to return, I tell everyone who will listen about this lovely restaurant in Clarkenwell Green. I feel very lucky to of been part of the celebrations,the family really made me feel special..xx

I thought I was off to one of the many normal Italian restaurants in London for a spot of lunch with a friend. How wrong could I have been! La Rocchetta, a family run restaurant is "private" you can only get in if you are known or taken there by a regular (very mafioso'esque).
However, once inside you are warmly welcomed by Max, front of house, who then introduces Al, his brother, his Mum, who does the cooking and Dad, who runs the cafe next door.
Max informs me that Jean Christophe Novelli is a regular visitor and passes me a framed review Christophe wrote a couple of years back. Whilst pouring me a glass of wine, I am also told that certain seats are for regulars who have been coming to La Rocchetta for 20 years plus. I've only been there for 10 minutes, but already I feel like I've been there many times before. I ask to see the menu, my friend, Terry, informs me there isn't one and that Max will suggest what I should have to eat. So, I have the vegetable soup to start followed by the veal milanese, all of which is prepared and cooked superbly by mum. The soup was excellent, but the veal milanese served with spaghetti and bolognese sauce was even better. After a few more glasses of wine and further chats with Max I manage to finish this simple, but wonderful food.
The time has flown by and it's time to leave, I've only been been there for a couple of hours, but in that time I was made to feel part of their family.
I pop in to the kitchen to thank Mum for the lovely food, I say my farewells to Al and Dad and finally Max. I tell Max I hope to see him and his family soon, he simply says I am welcome any time.
Grazie mille

La Rocchetta is a must visit. How though? Well, I have my friend Terry to thank!

Pat H

ps to my last message. My 9 rating is as good as it gets. Nobody has ever got a 10. David Little.

I was very lucky to be taken to this 'private' restaurant by a regular customer of theirs otherwise I would not have got in. What a delightful and cosy and highly personal place it is. With wonderful and wonderfully simple delicious home cooked Italian food (made by Mum)that just hit the spot with me. Completely unexpected. One regular customer, I was told, has been going there every day weekdays for 20 years. If you can get it - do go. Highly recommended if you want a place that's just a lot more real. David Little

The only restaurant I know that is ex-directory, so I dont know how you managed to get the phone number. Jean Christophe Novelli said it was HIS favourite Italian restaurant in The Telegraph and when people tried to book they found they couldn't. Why? Because they only allow people in that they know and its like a little family. Mum and Dad do the cooking and sons Al and Max look after the clients. Anyone lucky enough to visit La Rocchetta should try mum's minestrone soup (to die for) and the amazing calves liver. A real experience. Lovely people, great food. Jonesey!!