Trattoria ZaZa

Za Za Trattoria is a casual Italian restaurant located at 207-A 20th Street North in the Frank Nelson Building in downtown Birmingham. It was opened in the space formerly occupied by Roma Italian Bistro in June 2009 by Brian Somershield and Geoff Lockert, childhood friends from Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

Somershield came to Birmingham in 2004 after graduating from culinary school. He had dined at Highlands Bar and Grill during a vacation on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and knew that he wanted to work for chef Frank Stitt. He spent two years at Highlands and then became head sous chef at Chez Fon Fon in 2006. Lockert also spent some time as a server at Chez Fon Fon before continuing his traning at Michael Symon's Lola restaurant in Cleveland.

Za Za features a selection of fresh pizzas, pasta dishes and salads each day. The menu varies seasonally featuring locally-sourced ingredients. Breakfast options include omelets and frittati as well as fresh fruit, hash browns and baked goods. Coffee is served from a 3-foot tall copper clad espresso machine.

References

• Carlton, Bob (June 26, 2009) "Two childhood friends open Za Za Trattoria in downtown Birmingham." Birmingham News