The Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizza team is still on cloud nine after an amazing week right out of a storybook. On the heels of a 2010 “trifecta” win, (garnering the National Restaurant Association’s “Hot Concepts” award in February, the Washington State Restaurant Association’s “Best Full Service Operator” award in March, and the Pizza Today “2010 Independent Pizzeria of the Year” this month), they launched a week long free pizza campaign to convey their thanks to the community. Approximately 20,000 enthusiastic supporters dined at the original Columbia City, Stone Way, Westlake and Issaquah venues. 8,451 free pizzas (or over $100,000 worth) were given back to the neighborhoods that have given so much to Tutta Bella.
Response from guests was overwhelming. Many took the time to personally thank the staff and send letters of appreciation.
Founder Joe Fugere sent out a heartfelt thank you letter to each of his employees in sincere appreciation of their work. The personal note said in part, “I am honored to be able to work with someone like you who has such a caring heart, generous spirit and positive attitude…Your loyalty to me, our customers and to Tutta Bella is unbelievable!”
The week included Fugere’s meeting with President Obama as a part of a business round-table, organized with the help of the Seattle-based Mainstreet Alliance. “Honestly”, says Fugere, “in our wildest dreams, our small restaurant family couldn’t have imagined seven days more jam packed with outreach, joy and appreciation.”
Tutta Bella was the Northwest’s first Vera Pizza Napoletana (VPN) certified Neapolitan pizzeria and as such is held accountable to the Association’s high culinary standards. In addition to pizza, menu items include calzone, antipasti, signature salads, soup, house-made desserts and gelato. In true artisan fashion, Attibassi espresso is flown in weekly direct from Italy and prepared at the Neapolitan style espresso bar featuring a traditional lever-action Italian espresso machine made by Victoria Arduino.
Locations:
Columbia City 4918 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle 98118 (206) 721-3501
Issaquah 715 NW Gilman Blvd., Issaquah 98027 (425) 391-6838
Stone Way 4411 Stone Way North, Seattle 98103 (206) 633-3800
Westlake 2200 Westlake Avenue, Suite 112, Seattle 98121 (206) 624-4422