Thursday night’s line
Roma Roma threw a Capitol Hill pizza party with free slices Thursday night as it prepared for its Friday grand opening.
It was a rush to the finish line with the crew still wiping away sawdust as the new restaurant prepared for a busy “sneak peek” and its new life in the Ave Arts Building.
CHS reported here in January as the brother duo behind the project worked to transform the former Capitol Hill Racher’s Ginger Beer into a new by-the-cut pizza joint at 12th and Pine.
Roma Roma takes a “playful, craftsmanship approach” to pizza. Led by brothers chef Forrest Brunton and general manager Colin Brunton, the concept was inspired by student travels in Rome over 20 years ago.
The menu features a “three-day, slow-rise, naturally leavened sourdough crust” available in styles including classic al taglio with a “crispy olive oil-soaked bottom,” a rustic ancient grain alla pala, and a “cracker thin crust” styled after Rome’s al tonda. Chef Brunton plans to serve 8 to 10 types of pizza daily, featuring “chef-crafted flavor combinations” like Heirloom Pumpkin with brown butter walnuts or the “Carnitas Nacho” with citrus marinated pork, nacho cheese, Mexican pickles, crema and pico de gallo.
A core to Roma Roma is its counter service model with a “pizza monger” cutting pieces to the guest’s desired size. In keeping with tradition, “each pizza order will be sold by the weight of the selected piece.”
To accompany the food, Roma Roma will serve beer, wine, and tap cocktails — including a “house ‘Espritzzo’” — alongside non-alcoholic options like Italian sodas and a Lemon Granita Slushy.
Pricing is still being finalized — stay tuned.
After a 11 AM to 9 PM start Friday and Saturday, Roma Roma is planning a Sunday to Tuesday break to sort everything out before opening again on Wednesday going forward. The plan is to ramp up to seven-day, 11 AM to 11 PM service.
The opening of Roma Roma is a return to Seattle and Capitol Hill for chef Brunton. Long ago before setting out for a fine dining career far from the city, he held down the kitchen at various Linda Derschang-era joints including Oddfellows and Smith.
Roma Roma is now open at 1610 12th Ave. Learn more at romaroma.pizza.
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