Roberto Ciacciofera figures if all roads lead to Rome, then everyone will be able to find his Roman-style restaurant when he opens Colosseo in Solana Beach the first week of December.
Ciacciofera started cooking in Sicily when he was five, trying to guess what was in his mother’s tomato sauce simply by his sense of smell. He came to San Diego in 2016 to become a chef. He opened R&G Salumeria Wine Bar in Little Italy in 2020 with Giuseppe Gagliano, and Argentinian steakhouse Piedra Santa with Alberto Morreale earlier this year. But Colosseo will be his project as the solo owner and chef.
Courtesy of Colosseo
He’s not fazed by the thought of doing it all. “That’s what I love to do,” he says. “I love to cook, I love to serve, and I love connection. I love people.”
For Colosseo’s opening menu, Ciacciofera starts with traditional Roman dishes like amatriciana, carbonara, cacio e pepe, lamb, fish, and specials aplenty. Once he feels people have a solid understanding of the most well-known dishes of Rome, he’ll expand into the lesser-knowns. He’s patient. He knows people will, one day, be ready.
They’ll emphasize Italian wine, he says, but serve the best wine from the best regions. A full liquor license also means cocktails.
The former Pizza Nova building holds around 100 guests, with space for about half outside under a covered patio. But even with a full house, the one thing Ciacciofera wants to ensure everyone feels from the moment they walk in is a genuine sense of Roman hospitality—as if enjoying Sunday dinner at your grandmother’s house with your entire family.
“[It’s] where everybody’s together, enjoying music, talking in a relaxed environment,” he says. “My goal is to have a family place… my house is your house.”
Colosseo opens at 945 Lomas Santa Fe Drive in Solana Beach early December 2025. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Ocean Beach has a new-ish wine bar—Vinum Locus, brought to life by Luigi Agostini, who also owns Pizzeria Luigi next door. In fact, the venues share a kitchen. Chef Nicholas Vassari used to be the chef de cuisine at Nobu, so the food is good to excellent (try his yellowtail lettuce cups) It fills a hole in OB’s food and drink scene, which has plenty of craft beer and cocktail bars but not much in the way of wine after Gianni Buonomo Vintners picked up its stakes for the Midway District.
After a brief hiatus, Salvatore’s Cucina & Lounge is making a comeback on November 22, with (checks notes) fire dancing (possibly) and brunch (definitely). A little something for everyone!
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Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine. Her first book, The Beer Lover's Guide to Cider, is now available. Find out more on bethdemmon.com.
