Colosseo Cucina Italiana, a new Rome-inspired Italian restaurant, will open Thursday, Dec. 18, in the former Pizza Nova location in Solana Beach’s Lomas Santa Fe Plaza center.
The newly refurbished, 100-seat restaurant is owned by Sicilian chef Roberto Ciacciofera, who also owns R&G Salumeria Wine Bar in Little Italy.
“My goal is to have a family place… my house is your house,” Ciacciofera said in a statement. “Colosseo Cucina Italiana is my way of inviting people into the kind of meals I grew up with, moments that brought everyone around the table.”
An interior wall decoration at Colosseo Cucina Italiana restaurant, which opens Dec. 18 in Solana Beach. (James Tran)
Salmone al limone, one of the entrees at Colosseo Cucina Italiana restaurant, which opens Dec. 18 in Solana Beach. (James Tran)
An artist’s rendition of Rome’s Colosseum is etched on the glass table dividers at Colosseo Cucina Italiana restaurant, which opens Dec. 18 in Solana Beach. (James Tran)
Gamberoni Arrabbiati, a spicy shrimp pasta dish at Colosseo Cucina Italiana restaurant, which opens Dec. 18 in Solana Beach. (James Tran)
The interior of Colosseo Cucina Italiana restaurant, which opens Dec. 18 in Solana Beach. (James Tran)
Pappardelle Colosseo, one of the pasta dishes at Colosseo Cucina Italiana restaurant, which opens Dec. 18 in Solana Beach. (James Tran)
One of the custom cocktails in the full bar at Colosseo Cucina Italiana restaurant, which opens Dec. 18 in Solana Beach. (James Tran)
A selection of menu items at Colosseo Cucina Italiana restaurant, which opens Dec. 18 in Solana Beach. (James Tran)
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An interior wall decoration at Colosseo Cucina Italiana restaurant, which opens Dec. 18 in Solana Beach. (James Tran)
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Colosseo’s menu will feature classic Roman-Italian dishes such as pasta amatriciana, carbonara, and cacio e pepe, along with entrées including lemon salmon, arrabbiata shrimp, short ribs, chicken Parmesan and Roman-style lamb chops. The menu will also offer appetizers, salads, soups, wood-fired regional Italian pizzas, vegetable side dishes and a children’s menu.
The beverage menu will include regional Italian wines and a full-service bar with custom cocktails.
Colosseo Cucina Italiana is at 945 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. Hours will be 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Details at colosseosd.com, instagram.com/colosseosd.
Dining and Cooking