Roma Roma with Roman pizza by the cut coming to Capitol Hills 12th Ave

Chef Forrest Brunton will reopen in Seattle with Roma Roma, a Roman-style pizza restaurant set to debut on Capitol Hill. The venue is under construction at 1610 12th Ave, taking over the former Rachel’s Ginger Beer location. Brunton previously worked at notable spots in the Derschang food group, including Oddfellows and Smith, before pursuing independent projects and ventures in South Carolina. Roma Roma aims to create a vibrant hangout featuring “naturally leavened” pizza and cocktails, with construction permits issued just last week. The restaurant's opening comes amid a wave of recent pizza news in the neighborhood, including the closure of Kōbo, a pizza joint by celebrity chef Shota Nakajima.

The well-windowed layout of the former space will enhance the dining experience with sidewalk patio access. Roma Roma joins other new pizza establishments, such as Capitale Pizzeria, which is set to open in 2024. This revitalization of Capitol Hill’s dining scene signals a positive shift following recent business closures.