The restaurant: Pizzeria Alberico, 1730 Pearl St., Boulder
About: Pizzeria Alberico replaces the original Pizzeria Locale, a concept that was originally created 13 years ago by Frasca Hospitality Group founders Bobby Stuckey and Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson to Boulder. Although it shared a name with the other Pizzeria Locale locations in Colorado — now partially owned and run by Chipotle — the ownership of the Boulder spot remained with Frasca, which first announced the rebrand late last year.
What’s on the menu: Southern Italian specialties, including arancini with, risotto, saffron and mozzarella; polpettine meatballs; fritti; burrata; and the pizzas similar to what fans of Pizzeria Locale were used to. There is also a full bar offering cocktails featuring Italian-oriented spirits, not to mention “a wine program that points largely to Southern Italy,” according the owners.
Who’s cooking: Jordan McMahan was a restaurant owner in North Carolina before moving to Boulder a few years ago to attend Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. Soon after, he joined the Pizzeria Locale team and is now Chef de Cuisine at Pizzeria Alberico.
More: The restaurant is named for the family of Stuckey’s wife, Danette. The Albericos can trace their roots “back to the small hillside town of San Vittorino, in the Italian region of Abruzzo, according to the restaurant. Stuckey, a master Sommelier, opened Frasca with chef Mackinnon-Patterson in 2004 after having worked at restaurants like French Laundry and Little Nell. The two also own Tavernetta and Sunday Vinyl in Denver. Both are multiple James Beard award winners. A third partner, Peter Hoglund, is involved in Pizzeria Locale.
Opened: Monday, Feb. 20, 2023
