Trattoria Roma Restaurant Opens in Petaluma

Sonoma County has a new restaurant in downtown Petaluma. Trattoria Roma is the newest additon to the Petaluma Theatre Square, a three-story mixed-use project located at the corner of Petaluma Boulevard and D Street.

A family affair, Trattoria Roma comes from Edward and Josephine Pizzuti, and their two children, AnnMarie and Tony, plus Tony’s wife, Rosa. Edward was born in the Molise region of Italy, while Josephine was born in Sicily; the two both and grew up in Tuscany, then settled together in the U.S. in 1958.

The lengthy menu relies on long-held family recipes, Edward noted, as well as favorites from his previous Caffe Giostra in Petaluma. Housemade pastas are a specialty, such as a daily ravioli, lasagna layered with meat sauce, mozzarella and parmesan, and spaghetti carbonara tumbled with pancetta, egg, parmesan, and Pecorino Romano.

But first, start with traditional burrata plated with prosciutto, arugula and roasted red pepper oil; classic Caesar salad with shaved Parmesan and garlic croutons; and bruschetta smothered in pesto, chopped tomato, basil, and E.V.O.O.

The kitchen also crafts mouthwatering entrees, including pollo piccata of chicken sautéed in lemon, caper butter, and white wine; char-grilled rib-eye steak with sautéed spinach and Gorgonzola butter; and calamari steak dore’ sautéed abalone style with parsley-butter-lemon sauce. Rounding everything out: fresh vegetables and herbs from the Pizzuti’s own garden.

The 1,700 square foot space has charms, as well, including a giant mural of a Roman city square, a dine-in bar overlooking the partially open kitchen, and large windows overlooking the downtown street scene.

Details: 140 2nd Street, Suite 100, Petaluma, 707-981-7807, trattoriaromapetaluma.com.