Rosso Italian, surrounded by high-rises and just steps away from the Footprint Center, brings a contemporary take on premium Italian cuisine to the downtown Phoenix foodie scene. Launched earlier this year, Rosso Italian is the latest creation from the restaurant group behind POMO Pizzeria.
The restaurant opens its doors at 11 a.m. and immediately welcomes a flock of businesspeople looking for a quality weekday lunch option. The bar seating is the ideal space for a quick, casual bite or, for guests looking for a more formal atmosphere, the restaurant has a more decorous area perfect for a company meeting.
The 5,000-square-foot space is sleek and rustic, with a touch of Italian warmth. The dining room at Rosso Italian is designed to be both elegant and comfortable, with warm lighting and a cozy vibe.
Paninis, offered only during the lunch service, are made with all-natural dough that comes from highly refined organic wheat flour in Italy. The dough rises for 72 hours and bakes for 30 minutes, creating a light, easily digestible crust. The chicken pesto panini ($14.95) is loaded with grilled chicken, mozzarella, Roma tomatoes, romaine and house pesto, all sandwiched inside focaccia bread.
Other stand-out menu items include the beets salad with red and gold beets, romaine, frisée, goat cheese, pistachios, beet chips and citrus vinaigrette; and the gnocchi burrata made with house-made gnocchi and coated with burrata, a zesty cherry tomato sauce, Parmigiano cheese, and topped with basil. For those missing a taste of POMO’s iconic Neapolitan pizza, Rosso Italian offers the same pizza recipe as its sister restaurant.
Although POMO Restaurant Group believes in utilizing Italian-imported goods where it counts — like using “00” and semolina flour for bread and pasta — the group values supporting local vendors when possible. At POMO and Rosso Italian, diners will find dishes with Chula Seafood and Two Wash Ranch chicken, and the bar highlights Valley brews that include Huss Brewing Co., SanTan Brewing Company and The Shop Beer Co.
Rosso Italian is open Monday through Saturday and encourages walk-ins and take-out orders.
Rosso Italian
2 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix
(602) 218-6001
Gnocchi Burrata Homemade gnocchi, burrata, cherry tomato sauce, parmigiano and basil $19.95 |
Beets Salad Red and gold beets, romaine, frisée, goat cheese, radicchio, pistachios and beet chips $12.95 |
Margherita Pizza Tomato sauce, mozzarella, parmigiano and basil $14.95 |
Did You Know: The restaurant group behind popular Italian eatery POMO Pizzeria, sprawled across the Valley with locations in downtown Phoenix, Biltmore, and Scottsdale, launched Rosso Italian as its newest concept earlier this year.
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