Julian Barsotti's Next Restaurant, Sprezza, Will Serve Roman-Style Pizza

It's been known for many months that prince of Italian food Julian Barsotti (Nonna, Carbone's) was working on another restaurant, and now it's got a name: Sprezza.

Sprezza, a partnership between Barsotti and the Donohoe brothers of Henderson Avenue nightlife spot The Dram, is part of the so-called Maple Avenue Dining District — that's Maple Avenue just east of the Dallas North Tollway — where Kansas City-style barbecue joint 18th & Vine is preparing to open this month. According to a press release, "Sprezza is a Roman restaurant and tavern that will focus on pizza al taglio (a style typical to Rome), handmade and bronze die extruded pastas, with a concise all Italian wine list, Italian beers & inspired takes on classic Italian cocktails."

Sprezza is slated to open in early 2016, along with another spot called Señor Manny's Uptown Cantina (sibling to the Manny's Uptown located just off McKinney Avenue).

Italian food is awfully trendy right now in Dallas: Besides Sprezza, there's the new Saint Rocco's at Trinity Groves, John Tesar is working on the pasta-focused Gravy 51° in Turtle Creek, and downtown's Joule Hotel is preparing to open Americano with chef Matt Ford any day now.