Rocco's Bologna Discoteca Pop-Up

Overview

UPDATE: OCTOBER 7, 2020 — The end is nigh for Rocco's Bologna Discoteca, but it's not all doom and gloom. The pop-up will be replaced by the more permanent Poodle and it's going out with a bang thanks to a three-day Bunga Bunga Party. Running from Friday, October 9 to Sunday, October 11, the party will see some of Melbourne's best chefs take over the menu. There'll be a croissant toastie with kimchi and cheese from Ramblr's Nick Stanton and Christ Watson from Meatsmith will whip up a pepperoni pizza melt. Also on the lineup: The Grandissimo. By Rocco's Josh Fry this giant focaccia features layers of salami, mortadella, coppa, cime de rapa, eggplant, pickles and cheese. Check it out below.

First launching back in lockdown 1.0, Rocco's Bologna Discoteca was meant to close for good when two-storey bistro and bar Poodle took over the space in July. But with the return of stay-at-home orders, comes the return of Rocco's.

Run by Chef Josh Fry (Marion and Cumulus Inc), the unapologetically kitsch pop-up on Gertrude Street has an epic lineup of sangas. There's a saucy NY-style meatball sub ($17); Rocco's Originario Bologna ($15.50) with fried bologna, green olives and plenty of cheese; the spicy Picante ($16.50), featuring fried bologna, pickles and provolone; a vegetarian crumbed eggplant one ($14.50); and the Bobby Baccala ($18), which is a salted cod melt.

Other dishes include bone marrow garlic bread ($12), antipasto platters ($30), rocket salad ($8), fries ($8) and tiramisu ($12).

You can either pop down to pick up the goods in person if you're a local or you can get them delivered via via Doordash and Deliveroo. You can check out the full menu and order via Rocco's website or call 0435 236 115.

Rocco's is open from 12–8pm Friday–Saturday and 12–6pm Sunday and is available via Doordash and Deliveroo.