Tutta Bella to open new restaurant at Crossroads

Tutta Bella will open a restaurant at Crossroads Shopping Center this fall. The 300-seat, 7,000 square-foot restaurant will be the largest of the chain's five restaurants.

Tutta Bella will open a restaurant at Crossroads Shopping Center this fall. The 300-seat, 7,000 square-foot restaurant will be the largest of the chain’s five restaurants.

Construction already is underway and expected to be completed in September with plans to open in October. It will occupy the former location of Crossroads Bar and Grill and include a four-season patio.

Founded in 2004, Tutta Bella has been named the ‘Best Pizza in Seattle’ by Seattle Weekly, ‘Best Family Restaurant’ by Seattle Magazine, and ‘Best Pizza Joint’ by ParentMap Magazine.

Owner and founder Joe Fugere and Executive Chef Brian Gojdics are both certified “pizzaioli” (pizza makers) who trained in Naples, and Tutta Bella was the first restaurant in the Northwest to earn a VPN certification from the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana.

“Each time we choose to open a new location, we take a number of factors into consideration. It goes well beyond just where we think we can be successful,” Fugere said. “In the case of the new Crossroads location, we chose it because we genuinely believe it’s a community on the rise. It’s got everything – growing families, cultural diversity, businesses large and small, and an interest in authentic food.”

Tyler Kopkas will serve as General Manager and Mariano Valdovino will head up the culinary staff as Kitchen Manager.

In addition to authentic Neapolitan pizza, flatbread, and calzones, Tutta Bella’s menu includes salads, craft cocktails, beer, wine, espresso and desserts.

Tutta Bella’s other locations are in Columbia City, Stone Way, Westlake, and Issaquah.

Tutta Bella will be located at the main entrance to Crossroads on 156th Avenue Northeast and will be open seven days a week.