The atmosphere is comfortable, clean, and well lit/decorated. The waitress was personable and timely. I felt comfortable and had great conversation with the staff. Our food was prepared quick, but well. Portions are a good size for lunch offerings read more

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Waiting over 15 to somebody ask what me and my girlfriend want to drink and after waiting another 25 minutes for drinks we just left. Disappointment and no excuse because table next to us was serviced few times while we waited. read more

Fantastic food ! Cool atmosphere . Drinks are good and flavorful and strong but not too strong. I've been here for happy hour and 2 dinners. I thought that is was so good maybe I was just starving or hit it on it's best day . Nope . Each time is better and better . The chef is pleasant and outgoing and went around to see how everyone enjoyed the food. Waitstaff is friendly and made sure our water was topped off. I recommend the fresh apps and whatever special that day is ! The menu changes with what's seasonal. The veal and chicken Parma were amazing ! The specials were out of this world I want to give it 5. I'd give it 4 3/4. The waitstaff seems to work as a team, and while everyone was so friendly , our drinks took 10 minutes to get placed and we ordered entrees after our app was finished . I know when I go it's a good 90 min for diner. I kinda love that about this place, but I also wouldn't mind have a leisurely desert and coffee instead of a long app to diner break. I 100% recommend the place. It's my new fav in CT. read more

Just had a delicious meal at the OC Kitchen. I've been there 4 or 5 times before and the food was good, but today the meal was excellent. The grilled pulpo on broccoli with white beans made my husband, a Spaniard, and I think we were in Spain. It was perfectly cooked. The seafood soup was excellent as well as the Mediterranean Risotto and branzino. My fish was crisp and super delicious. Cannoli was crisp and fresh, not too sweet. Our waitress was attentive and nice. We will definitely be back ! read more

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OC Kitchen is a cool, and comfortable place to have drinks, dinner, and dessert. On my last visit I thoroughly enjoyed: "Tis the season Manhattan"...Cinnamon Syrup, rye, orange bitters...totally delicious Tossed green salad...fresh and tasty Mushroom Risotto with grilled chicken...hot and wonderful...great combo Cappuccino with amaretto...just right for after dinner We love to visit OC Kitchen! read more

We were at OC kitchen bar last night and had an amazing meal. Started with the fig martini which is my favorite! Caesar salad is perfection , the Luca lobster soup was outstanding. I can't wait to have more of that next time. Please put it on your regular menu! And I was just in heaven with their gnocchi alla norma. Lorenzo, the owner, The chef and Michael the bartender are class act people. OC kitchen bar is such a beautiful restaurant. Love the trendy decor, and all the details they put into their space makes it an awesome place to be with friends and family. You will not be disappointed. read more

Totally crappy experience. After driving by this restaurant many times we decided to give it a try. When we are arrived we were the only ones in the whole restaurant on a Saturday night at 6pm . This was our first clue we may have picked the wrong night. The waitress was up beat and friendly. We ordered the flatbread Veggie pizza it came out under cooked and soggy so much for the brick oven pizza. Our pasta was not homemade as advertised over cooked and the sauce was bland . At some point a man who to turned out to be the owner sat in the corner and glared at us like an Angry Godfather probably because we sent our food back .. it was that bad . Talk about feeling uncomfortable!! Avoid the place and save your money ! read more

I was invited for happy hour. Well , i will say that the bar is very large for events. 5 of us met there, greeted after 15 minutes. Drinks took another 20 minutes? They must have known we are teachers...? Well, we finally got to order to be told that happy hour was over? After a 10 minute argument we ordered some happy hour.. everything was sauce, gatic, parmesan, blahhh. I do not recommend at all. read more

Everything we had hit the spot. My wife had ribs that where perfectly cooked and came right off the bone with some nice crispy potato wedges that where golden brown. i had the ravioli which was just as good!!!!l read more

OC Kitchen-Bar - dessert sampler with espresso martinis made to order. The mousse, tiramisu, and cannoli all homemade and yummy in my tummy!!!!!! - Italian Near Me - Rocky Hill, Connecticut

The patio is really pretty to sit out on. The bartender makes some decent cocktails. He's the only redeeming quality. That's pretty much it for anything good about this place. The tagliere cheese selection looks like chopped up cubes from the supermarket. The service was super slow I had to ask 30 minutes later after watching another person gets served if they had forgotten about my small appetizer order. We had to ask a second time for water we never got. It was not busy at all and they appeared to have enough staff working. And here is the kicker. I get the bill I give her a 20. It's $15.95. And she hands me back four dollars and walks away with my check. I asked her for the check and I told her she did not give me the correct change and her reply was that she rounds up. You do not arbitrarily decide what kind of change you are giving a customer.customer period. I give you a $20 bill I expect change back for the amount I am owed. I brought this up to a manager and told him that is unacceptable. read more

I took some out of state coworkers here a few weeks back. We went for Lunch and I was excited to try their menu! Unfortunately, the waitress knew Nothing about the menu and every question we asked she had to go ask someone else. I ordered the shrimp scampi and when it came it looked like it would taste great, but we were wrong! It was watery and had zero flavors. My coworker kept adding Parmesan in hopes at making it taste better, but that obviously didn't work. My other coworkers got Panninis and they were disappointed. The meat was very salty and the bread was way to large and crunchy. It was like eating off a huge crouton. I won't be going back. read more

Fantastic restaurant, Bring food, drinks and live music!. Staff is friendly attentive and expert. Drinks are perfectly made, food is just want we need when going out for the night in Connecticut. read more

OC Kitchen-Bar - Italian Near Me - Rocky Hill, Connecticut

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Stopped in for lunch. The place was pretty empty. They have a nice lunch menu with plenty of salads, sandwiches, and flatbreads. No soups, fyi. Brick oven fireplace for authentic Italian pizza. The restaurant has nice atmosphere. The building decor is pretty neat. Ordered chicken salad on lettuce which was actually served on a tossed salad with balsamic vinaigrette. In tandem these flavors were great. The chicken salad may have tasted a little flat without the balsamic, though. Since the chicken salad is typically served on ciabatta, it was served with steak fries, which were delicious! Dangerously addictive! Flatbread was good too, but nothing special. read more

OC Kitchen-Bar - Tuna salad sandwich, served on a bed of lettuce instead. Not sure how I feel about the shaved Parmesan on top... - Italian Near Me - Rocky Hill, Connecticut

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The OC has all the possibilities of being a fine restaurant, the atmosphere is very nice and warm, great bar and design of the restaurant. That said, the food leaves much to be desired, I'm sorry to say. It starts as early as the bread that is brought to the table, it is accompanied by a small bowl of tomatoes that have no flavor, tastes like it is from a can. There is no salt and pepper on the tables, no olive oil for the bread. The meals are lacking flavor and originality. We ordered the bolognese and there was hardly any meat, and again tasted like it was from a jar. We were so unimpressed with the food taste that we asked for to go boxes and decided to leave. This place has a lot of possibilities if it would just change the food quality read more

We went there last night for the first time and it certainly will not be the last. The service was outstanding and the food was great. This place is a GEM and you really should try it. Two of us had the pasta special which was terrific and the fig martinis were great. The ambiance was unusual for an Italian restaurant and really cool. read more

Overall really unpleasant experience. They didn't come serve us until 10 minutes into sitting down, we order appetizers (salads) and entrees, 45 minutes go by and we don't receive anything at all. We had completely finished our drinks, so we decided to leave since we couldn't even get a salad at a reasonable time. read more

We hosted a rehearsal dinner at OC Kitchen 40+ friends and family and it was a perfect evening! The food was delicious and the service and attention to detail was flawless! Lorenzo and Chef Luca worked with us to create the menu we wanted that sweetly included special items for the children! Their entire team was amazing! read more

Hello slice of Italy! I just came back from a trip to Italy and once I sat down at the bar at the OC I was instantly reminded of the great adventure I had. The front door to the restaurant is tucked away so you don't fall right on people eating. When you get to the space, it is similar to an Italian restaurant as the tables are close together and clustered on the floor while the bar is in the background. The overall space isn't huge, however it is laid out nicely so you don't feel compacted in. When we visited the restaurant was pretty busy so the noise was manageable but vibrant. We sat at the bar and had some very nice Italian wine that came with fantastic bread sticks that melted in your mouth. We did try out their tiramisu which was pretty good. The serving size wasn't the normal american "go big or go home" but it was perfect for the two of us to split and feel satisfied. I will definitely return to try out their pizza oven and some of their entrees as they all looked fantastic! read more

Delicious. The chef is Italian and very friendly. When I walked in, it smelled like my Italian grandparents kitchen. Everything is made to order. You can choose your pasta and add any of 6 sauces. I am vegan so options were slightly limited but they were able to help me choose a dish. The gnocchi was light and satisfying!! Soooo good!!! I work right around the corner so luckily, I can return often! read more

Very nice looking place. I was happy that something new came to the area. The ceilings were painted. It has nice lights around the bar. The patio has heated lamps for cooler weather. That's it for the Pros. The Cons completely outweighed the positives. I ordered the Moscow Mule, which was ok. My husband ordered the BackEast beer. It was served in a can. She brought a glass but it wasn't a chilled glass. I thought that was tacky. We ordered the Eggplant Parmigiana appetizer, which tasted fine. I read from others, that they had it cold and microwaved. It seemed that they specialized in Risotto, so we wanted to try that. I got the Scallop/Pea. My husband got the Chicken Curry. They were served in these cheesy takeout like dishes, that you would see at a food truck. It was kind of like Chinette, with a polymer coating. Extremely cheap and didn't match the ambiance of the place. The meal was even more disappointing. The scallops were canned and looked like the kind that you would buy at the store to add to your seafood chowder. They were so small, I couldn't even find them. The peas were bigger and that's really pathetic. I'd like to post a picture. But that feature isn't here.. I barely ate it and you'd see how little was gone and the portions are small as it is. The Chicken Curry Risotto had only 6 small pieces mixed in. My husband was starving after. The waitress asked me if I wanted to wrap it, and I said "NO". She should've asked me if there was something wrong, but she didn't. The owner was even walking around checking on people, but didn't come to us. I definitely would've told him that this was not worth $19. The quality of scallops was not restaurant quality by any means. I think they invested so much on the ambiance and were trying to attract the late 20's to 30s crowd and priced the menu somewhat affordable for that age group. But they got 40's to 50's with a few of their kids. They cut corners and it definitely shows. I suggest that even though the meal was not worth $19, charge a little bit more and invest in quality proteins. I'd have to say the 99 Restaurant even had better quality proteins and that's not saying much for a new "trendy, place to go". When we left, we felt cheated out of a nice night out. Very disappointing. read more

We had a great dining experience here, aside from a small issue which was resolved and will be discussed later. I'd been wanting to check this place out for a while but was hesitant because of the mixed reviews; I'm glad we tried it out. The interior is beautiful - high end industrial feel. They have an enclosed glass seating area which looked nice - I wonder if it opens up at all during the warmer months? We started with drinks. The limoncello martini was perfect: strong with the right amount of sweetness. We started with the burratta, which is a favorite of ours. It didn't disappoint. We had a little bit of everything, pizza, salad, pasta - we enjoyed it all. I particularly loved the special that I ordered: a pizza with olives & salami, it was so good. I'd love to check them out for a happy hour. I really enjoyed the atmosphere. There was a minor snafu. We left a cash tip, and later noticed on our bank statement that we were charged 20% in addition to our waitress taking the tip. The issue resolved itself within a few days, and one of the owners, David, reached out to explain it's how their CC system processes credit cards, & that they're working to fix it. We truly thought our money was being taken from us, as it wasn't posted anywhere about this process and were so disappointed because we loved our dinner. Since the issue has resolved and the owner was nice enough to reach out, we are hoping to return again. read more

OC Kitchen-Bar - Italian Near Me - Rocky Hill, Connecticut

We had our rehearsal dinner here and it was absolutely delicious! The menu here has a lovely variety. We had the burrata for the appetizer and was a great starter. Among the many great dishes served the pasta bolognese, seafood risotto, tuna steak, and chicken rollata were the favorites. The dishes were so incredibly delicious as well generous portions. Would highly recommend this restaurant for any occasion or evening out! Great atmosphere, friendly service, delicious food and drinks. read more

The place exceeded expectations. Hey have a great setup. The specialty cocktails were great. The salmon dish was amazing, the sword fish was awesome, and the chicken/bacon Gorgonzola was solid. The service matched the food quality. Will define melt be back. read more

Delicious! Mussels app was fantastic! Pork cheeks are so tender you could eat with a spoon! Pesto pasta was light and yummy! Bartender made a special fresh cucumber drink for me. I saw previous reviews and the portions may not be huge but who cares? You don't leave with a boo boo belly and no paper plates here. Can't wait to come back! read more

OC Kitchen-Bar - Italian Near Me - Rocky Hill, Connecticut

Sub-par experience in a really cool building, The house music playing made it hard to chill(ding), When it comes to Italian, I know better joints, Next time I'll "Rome" to one of them; LOL- get the point? Was hoping for a nice celebratory meal in a new Italian restaurant. Instead got average food in a place with bright LED lights playing house/techno music. Wasn't what I was expecting. Pros: The host was very nice and welcoming. The building itself was really cool: a converted garage. The outdoor patio area looked cozy. Good bottled beer selection (nothing on draft). Cons: Strange ambiance, high prices, small portions, bland flavors. Would probably only return for the happy hour that I see described on their website. read more

My friend has been telling me to go to the OC Kitchen on Main Street in Rocky Hill for a while now. We finally went and I was AMAZED. So much so that I visited two more times in the next four days! Ask for Daryl. Best server i've come into contact with in a while and really knows how to provide a unique experience for each and every guest. Happy hour from 4:00PM-6:00PM is a great time to show up as OC Kitchen has a long list of food and drinks for surprisingly low prices. Calamari, salmon, drinks, and everything else i've ordered has been some of the best i've had locally and i'm still searching to find someone in Rocky Hill, Cromwell, Wethersfield, Glastonbury, Newington area that competes. read more

I don't usually write reviews for restaurants, but I truly believe credit should be given to things/experiences that exceed expectations. OC is fine dining quality food juxtaposed against the friendly neighborhood bar and grill. The food is of exceptional quality with a down-to-earth, friendly staff in a eclectic, modern atmosphere. I have been here 6-7 times. I have to force myself to order differently each time with the same result ; I've found my new favorite dish. The mussels served over pasta shouldn't be missed. This isn't your atypical Italian establishment; no checkerboard table cloths or Frank Sinatra music serenading your meal. The decor is posh and assorted; modern music adds to the ambiance. It attracts customers from every breathe of life: couples on date night, the after work crowd, and people who stumbled in on their jogging route (how I came across it). It does cost more than your average Rocky Hill eatery, but the food you get is more than worth it. OC is the best restaurant in town. I highly suggest that all Foodies and other Epicurean Enthusiasts experience this place before the rest of the world discovers this gem and you can't get a table. It's only a matter of time... read more

It was okay, nothing amazing, bartender from South Africa was attentive, however the manager was very unprofessional, and not responsive with a discussion that she started. However, the cards dealt with, were with a person that wasn't limited to her bias objectives. She couldn't handle it and decided to walk away. The discussion ended with "Sir, I don't want to be combative!" She then walked away and began to speak to her associates. read more

I was really impressed with the knowledgeable and great servers. Really cool atmosphere.. bartenders cocktails are on point, they have red wine chilled on draft :) love it! and the coffee is authentic Italian coffee.. to die for. Check it out.. you won't be disappointed. Also, dessert.. don't forget to have the dessert read more

Stopped in to check this place out, but won't be coming back. It's overpriced Italian food with a confusing ambiance of neon lights behind the bar and purple flower napkins. Service was slow despite being one of the only people in the restaurant. Received a dirty martini glass, dirty bourbon glass, dirty plates. I wouldn't waste your time...we left to eat somewhere else. read more

Tried this out the other night and was very happy with the meal and the service. The pizza is excellent and the appetizers and salad was equally good. I would say to give this place a go and will return again. read more

Neither the server nor the chef pulled their face masks over their noses. Very disturbing as they went to various tables. Server forgot bread and my drink. Very slow service. We were the first people there and It still took almost two hours to order, eat and get the check. And we only had an entree. read more

Inviting, creative & outstanding Italian restaurant-bar is conveniently located on Main Street. The clever layout of the restaurant-bar lends itself to casual and semiformal dining and wine, beers & original cocktails. The authentic and nouveau Italian menu delights your tastebuds while promoting return visits to delve into the delightful fare based on historic dishes. Meet Mateo their charming manager and Luca their new award winning chef both direct from Italy. Dine indoors, enclosed or totally al fresco. Fine late nite serving offered. read more

I have to admit, I was surprised when I came to Yelp to review the OC and saw that it had less than a 5 star rating! I came here - and loved it. The food was fresh and I believe made in house. I had the Bolognese and it couldn't have been better. I've also had many of the cocktails and wines, both I was very impressed with the selection and taste. Looking forward to trying more! read more

What a great place. Everything was delicious from start to finish. Staff was always there for anything we needed. The place was spotless so clean and fresh. Our new go to spot in Rocky Hill. Awesome. read more

Love this place. Its a hidden gem. Luca the chef is amazing and Lorenzo the owner is a great guy. The food is always amazing. You can tell its made by someone who has a love for cooking and takes pride in his product. Lorenzo always makes you feel like your home and hanging out with a old friend. The decor is really cool too. If your in the area, you got to try it. You wont be disappointed read more

Try the risotto with gorgonzola, speck and porcini mushrooms or the pasta with figs and scamorza. This is real Italian food. Their menu is a little odd, but the food is good and authentic (my father a man that spent 26 years living in Italy approves). The pizza we tried was made with arugula and prosciutto and was good. The ambiance is nice as well. They did a really nice job of making the place feel elegant. This was the second time i've been here. I'm glad to see that they increased their portion size. Last time I left hungry, and this time I left stuffed. This is not the best restaurant I've been to, but I think it has great potential and its authenticity is unquestionable. Its a rarity to find an Italian restaurant run by Italians. I don't know where all the bad reviews come from! I can understand someone saying that their expectations weren't surpassed, but to say it was bad or disappointing is a little shocking! read more

First time here , invited by friends. Place has a really relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff. Food was excellent and service was top notch. I would show you a picture of the special , but I ate it before i thought of taking a picture Can't wait to go back !! read more

The worst meal I have ever had and I am 63 years old and we eat out twice a week I have not sent back a meal in 7 years . Mikos sent me the same steak 3 times . First time it was ice cold . Second time the potatoes you could not put the fork in them they were hard as a rock!!they tried to serve me the same steak 3 times @ 28 dollars . I paid for the food and told the manager to put the steak where the sun don't shine.83 dollars down the drain They were rude and I paid the bill and left. I expected the manager to ask what was wrong not hand me the plate 3 times! Show you at least care that my food was cold, never again! OC Kitchen doesn't get it! We work too hard for our money to get really bad food! read more

A hidden gem! The eggplant Parmesan was to die for and the homemade meatballs and pasta were delicious authentic Italian. I can't wait to return. read more