At new Hollywood hotspot Romanaccia, 1550 N. Cahuenga Blvd., founder Luca Tartaglia isn’t trying to recreate New York slices or Neapolitan traditions. Instead, he’s focused on something far more specific: authentic Roman pizza al taglio.
“We didn’t open Romanaccia to imitate Italy. We opened it to bring a real piece of Rome to Hollywood,” Tartaglia said. “In America, most people know Neapolitan pizza, New York pizza, or classic American pizza,” he said. “But very few truly know authentic Roman pizza al taglio.”
That distinction matters at Romanaccia. Unlike softer Neapolitan styles, Roman pizza al taglio is known for its crisp structure, airy interior, and rectangular presentation. According to the ownership team, achieving that texture requires patience, technical precision, and a long-fermentation dough process rooted in traditional Roman baking methods.
Tartaglia credits Executive Pizza Chef Alessandro Scuderi and Executive Culinary Director Camillo Caddeo with helping shape the technical side of the restaurant’s culinary identity. The team utilizes a biga-based fermentation process designed to create a lighter, more digestible dough with a crispy finish and deeper flavor profile.
The menu balances familiar staples with more visually distinctive offerings. While Margherita and Pepperoni remain top sellers, Romanaccia has also gained attention for signature items like its Lasagna Pizza, Nutella Dessert Pizza, and a sausage, mushroom, and potato combination that reflects more traditional Roman flavor influences.
But authenticity extends beyond the dough itself. Romanaccia emphasizes in-house preparation and imported Italian ingredients whenever possible, including flour, olive oil, cheeses, tomatoes, and cured meats.
“We’ve seen customers come back repeatedly after understanding the product and experience,” Tartaglia said. “We’ve also received strong support from Italians living in Los Angeles, which means a lot to us because they immediately recognize the authenticity.”
Located in the heart of Tinseltown, the fast-casual concept officially opened on April 18 after roughly a year of construction, permitting, and development. The restaurant occupies a 1,200-square-foot space with seating for around 25 guests.
The space itself underwent a dramatic transformation before opening. Previously home to a frozen yogurt shop, the restaurant required a complete rebuild, including new kitchen infrastructure, electrical systems, ventilation, finishes, lighting, and branding elements.
“The atmosphere changes throughout the day,” Tartaglia explained. “During lunch, it feels bright and casual, while at night it becomes more cinematic and energetic, especially because of the Hollywood location and late-night crowd.”
Beyond food, the brand is positioning itself as a lifestyle-driven concept. Romanaccia has already hosted VIP preview events featuring media, influencers, creators, and industry professionals, while its marketing strategy leans heavily into cinematic reels.
Looking ahead, the company plans to focus on operational refinement, catering, collaborations, late-night programming, and increased media exposure over the next year. Expansion is also part of the long-term vision.
