Rochester Hills Restaurant to Feature Whole-Food, Zero-Waste Kitchen in April 2026 Opening

Coco's Chop House will debut in Rochester Hills come April 2026. It's poised to become one of Michigan's first whole-food, zero-waste kitchens. The spot will occupy the old Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina space near N. Rochester and W. Tienken roads.

Executive chef Dean Cicala runs the show alongside restaurateurs John DeAngelis and Iris Male, who've operated Filippa's Italian Restaurant and Banquets in Shelby Township since 2019. Cicala also serves as general manager.

Cicala brings more than 40 years of Metro Detroit restaurant experience to the table. His last major gig was at Bacco Ristorante, where he spent six years before the doors closed last year.

"We're going to try to be one of the first whole-food, zero-waste kitchens in Michigan," said Cicala, per The Detroit News. "We're hoping that's something that will catch on. We're trying to cut down on [waste] and hopefully pass on the savings to the guests that come in."

James Beard Award-winning chef Jimmy Schmidt consults on the project, lending his know-how to the dry aging program and vendor selection. Clifton Booth joins as chef de cuisine.

Expect dishes like calamari "pasta" with sous vide calamari, dashi foam, garlic emulsion, cured tuna heart, uni paste, fish sauce, herb oil, and dehydrated lemon on the menu. There's also a grass-fed and finished Angus filet with coco butter, mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, bone demi-glace, and herbed beef tallow.

Vegan guests won't get left behind. The restaurant will offer a three-course, plant-based option. Cicala assembled a wine list featuring about 700 bottles from regions across the globe.

Live entertainment? Wine programs? Both are in the works. Preview pop-up events might kick off as soon as January. Find the restaurant at 6810 N. Rochester in Rochester Hills.