Colosseo Italian restaurant to open Thursday in Solana Beach

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.”

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.