Rocco’s

Chocolatier and chef, Gerard Mendis, partners with Coca-Cola to seek out the best food to enjoy with a refreshing, cold Coke. Join Gerard as he visits some of Colombo’s top restaurants and chats with their chefs. This week, Gerard visits a restaurant known for its authentic Italian flavours. 

Rocco’s is one of Colombo’s hidden gems, known for its wonderful pizza and its decadent desserts. I met with the remarkable women behind Rocco’s, long-time friends and business partners Judy Wikkramatillake and Krishanti Perera, and their chef Chaminda Silva for an Italian-inspired culinary tour.  

Exploring their expansive menu, I was completely taken by their Bacon, Mushroom and Spinach Gnocchi and their Ricotta and Spinach Ravioli. Both pastas had delicious creamy bases and were perfectly prepared.  Moving on to something meatier, I sampled one of Rocco’s mainstay dishes, the Australian lamb shank.  Double-cooked to perfection in a rich, subtly spiced tomato sauce so the meat just falls off the bone, this was a wonderful, flavourful meal.  Chatting with the ladies behind Rocco’s and with Chef Silva, I learned that, to date, all of Rocco’s desserts are made by Krishanti herself, and the two ladies have, over the years, become self-made chefs. One of Rocco’s dessert that was a clear winner was the absolutely decadent Chocolate Ganache Cheesecake that can win anyone’s heart, chocolate-lover or otherwise. Some of Rocco’s other must-tries were their meaty, cheesy pepperoni pizza, their bruschetta - my favourite was the mushroom - and their seafood risotto, another masterfully done, luxuriant dish.  While Italian food and wine are often considered two-of-a-kind, I find that the crisp sweetness of Coke pairs equally well with Italian cuisine. Paired with rich pasta, it cuts through the heaviness of the pasta to make each mouthful refreshing, and when put with heartier dishes like the lamb shank, it serves to both enhance and balance out the mix of flavours.

Bravissimo 

Rocco’s story of two friends with a love for food was one I found very inspiring, and the wonderful yet still rustic cuisine they put forward is a testament to just how much Rocco’s is a labour of love in every way. 

Join me next time as I explore a one-stop-shop for global cuisine.