Rockrose is a wildflower bramble that grows naturally on the hillsides in Greece, and now it is a hip and soon to be hot new Greek restaurant, hopefully, the one that will stay in the International House Hotel.
Nick Asprodites, who grew up in the local Greek community, spent eight weeks tooling around Greece and Crete to gather recipes for this new venture. Chef Brian Doyle, with his own impressive resume from some of our best restaurants, spent months in kitchens there immersing himself in the culture and the culinary culture of this exotic place.
Together they hope to blend the coastal bounty of Louisiana with the artisanal products of Greece in an exciting and modern way. Think hearty lamb dishes alongside a stuffed local flounder. Flatbreads and cheeses and chickpea fries and red pepper and feta dip to savor with wines hand-picked from the region, and signature cocktails with ingredients from the region.
The space takes inspiration from the seaside and urban landscapes of this part of the world, with cool and subtle blues as the backdrop. Communal tables encourage socializing over food and drink that is respectful of the culture and bold in its approach.
Rockrose has a fun evening set aside for the more adventurous diner. Monday evenings Nick calls geek night, where all the most “authentic” Greek foods and spirits will be available for anyone wanting to indulge in the “real” thing. He’s thinking mostly industry types, but it is open to the public. Prices aren’t set, because you’ll be “testing” dishes too.
Rockrose
In the International House Hotel
217 Camp St. New Orleans
504-369-3070
Tue-Sun Lunch and dinner
rockrosenola.com
