Seattle's University Village gets popular pizzeria with a take-n-bake twist

The Northwest’s first certified authentic Neapolitan pizzeria officially expanded into Seattle’s University Village, and amid widespread social unrest on Election Day, we’re absolutely here for it.

Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria partnered with local grocer, Quality Food Centers (QFC), to launch the latest pizzeria for counter service-style slices and pies inside the grocery store's bustling University Village location.

The “Take-n-Bake” pizza option will be exclusive to the University Village location. The “grocerant” location — as it’s dubbed — is the second of its kind, with the first opening last year inside QFC at the Kirkland Urban development.

“We’ve been talking about a Take-n-Bake option for some time, but it wasn’t until QFC showed their support that we decided to invest the resources needed to develop a high-quality product that we can be extremely proud of,” said Joe Fugere, owner of Tutta Bella. “We want customers to get the real Tutta Bella pizza experience when they bring this pizza home, and it was important for us to be able to make these by hand, using the very same ingredients we use in the restaurants.”

The grocerant officially launched Nov. 2, marking a continuation of what has become a multi-layered partnership between the two companies.

“We are excited to continue and expand our partnership with Tutta Bella,” said Chris Albi, president of QFC. “The Q has a passion for supporting the best local products to provide our customers with quality food experiences and Tutta Bella is a great partner that aligns with our purpose of Feeding the Human Spirit.”

Similar to the Tutta Bella at the Kirkland QFC, the new location features a wood-burning oven and will offer the same high-quality imported and locally-sourced ingredients that Tutta Bella serves at its neighborhood restaurants and mobile food truck. The menu will be highlighted by Tutta Bella’s wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas, along with made-to-order sandwiches, fresh salads and authentic Sicilian cannoli.

“QFC is a fantastic partner for us,” Fugere said. “From the very start in 2019, the entire QFC team has been such a resource for us and their support has only grown stronger over the past six months. They’ve truly shown us the definition of partnership during these unprecedented times and we’re so grateful.”

The Tutta Bella space has been designed by the Seattle-based firm Graham Baba Architects, the team behind projects such as Chophouse Row, Melrose Market and the Deep Dive Bar inside Amazon’s Spheres.

“Since 1956, we have been a local community grocer and everything we do is about paying homage to that history of Pacific Northwest culinary expertise,” Albi said.  “The new University Village store will be a premiere food store and this partnership with Tutta Bella will greatly enhance our customers’ experience.”

Founded in Seattle more than 60 years ago, QFC is headquartered in Bellevue and now operates 62 stores in Western Washington and in Portland, Oregon.

Founded in 2004, Tutta Bella has developed neighborhood restaurants in Issaquah, Columbia City, Wallingford and South Lake Union.

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