Photos of Pizza Fritta owners, dishes by Kathy Tran
Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly spelled Roselli’s. We apologize for the error.
The proprietors at Elmwood’s Roselli’s Pizza Fritta — husband-and-wife entrepreneurs David Rice and Roxy Chairez — announced on Facebook that they were, “with a heavy heart,” closing the restaurant.
“After careful consideration, we have decided to sell and have someone lined up who we trust would bring something new and exciting to the Elmwood community,” the owners noted on the pizzeria’s page. They promise “more info on that later.”
The couple also operated Bocce Italian Kitchen, which served comfort food on West Davis at Madison in the Bishop Arts District for about 4.5 years.
As the Advocate reported last year, the Elmwood Commercial Center on Edgefield has its complications when it comes to operating an eating and drinking establishment. For example, Henderson Elementary is within 250 feet of the restaurant, prohibiting alcohol sales, so they had to seek a special use permit before incorporating bar sales.
On Facebook, they say the decision to close was a tough one that was driven ultimately by the family’s needs. As we reported last year, Chairez, 36, and Rice, 43, met at Ten Bells Tavern about 10 years ago, when he was still chef of Whitehall Exchange. They now have three daughters.
“The sacrifices we asked of our young children and extended family were too much, and we need to prioritize their well-being at this time in our lives,” they noted on social media. “We are grateful for the opportunity to have served this community and want to extend a special thank you to those who supported, promoted, and lent a helping hand to our business. We love Oak Cliff and are hopeful that you’ll continue to support the new business owner who will be taking over the space.”
The Advocate will continue to follow the address for updates on forthcoming businesses.
