Rocco DiSpirito Returns with Home-Style Italian at Bar Rocco

The acclaimed chef opens the first of four restaurants in the new Kimpton Era Midtown New York hotel.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 4:53pm

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After several years out of the spotlight, renowned chef Rocco DiSpirito is making a comeback with the opening of Bar Rocco, an Italian American brasserie located in the new Kimpton Era Midtown New York hotel at Rockefeller Center. The restaurant features DiSpirito's take on homestyle Italian cuisine in a tailored, bronzed setting with floor-to-ceiling windows. Bar Rocco is the first of four new restaurants opening under the direction of the Apicii restaurant group at the hotel, with additional concepts including a Latin steakhouse, a rooftop izakaya, and an all-day cafe.

Why it matters

DiSpirito's return to the New York dining scene is highly anticipated, as the chef has maintained a lower profile in recent years. The opening of Bar Rocco marks his first major restaurant venture since his acclaimed New York establishments closed in the early 2000s, signaling a potential comeback for the chef. The new restaurant also represents an expansion of the Apicii group, which is aiming to establish a diverse culinary footprint within the Kimpton Era Midtown New York hotel.

The details

Bar Rocco will feature DiSpirito's take on classic Italian American fare, drawing inspiration from homestyle recipes. The 150-seat restaurant has a tailored, bronzed interior with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Rockefeller Center. In addition to Bar Rocco, the Apicii group is also opening three other restaurants within the hotel: Amasa, a Latin steakhouse; Jade Rabbit, a rooftop izakaya; and The Parlor, an all-day cafe on the third floor.

  • Bar Rocco is set to open in the Kimpton Era Midtown New York hotel in March 2026.

The players

Rocco DiSpirito

An acclaimed chef who is opening Bar Rocco, an Italian American brasserie, at the new Kimpton Era Midtown New York hotel.

Apicii

A restaurant group that is overseeing the opening of four new dining concepts, including Bar Rocco, within the Kimpton Era Midtown New York hotel.

Kimpton Era Midtown New York

A new hotel in Midtown Manhattan where Bar Rocco and three other Apicii-operated restaurants are opening.

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The takeaway

Rocco DiSpirito's return to the New York dining scene with the opening of Bar Rocco represents a highly anticipated comeback for the acclaimed chef, who has maintained a lower profile in recent years. The new restaurant, part of a larger culinary expansion at the Kimpton Era Midtown New York hotel, signals DiSpirito's continued influence and the ongoing evolution of the city's dining landscape.