Step Inside Rosie Cannonball, Montrose’s New Casual-Chic Italian Stunner

Rosie Cannonball, a laid-back yet sophisticated new destination for wood-grilled pizzas and wine, arrives today in Montrose.

The latest addition to Goodnight Hospitality’s takeover of the neighborhood arrives at 1620 Westheimer Road, just a stone’s throw away from sister spots Goodnight Charlie’s and Montrose Cheese and Wine. A project of David Keck, June Rodil, Pete McCarthy, and Felipe Riccio’s Goodnight Hospitality, Rosie Cannonball offers seating for 85 diners in its chic, subdued space that’s decked out in tons of midcentury Italian details.

Designed by Studio Robert McKinley, the 2,500 square foot restaurant is decked out in earth tones and natural materials, ranging from the raw-edged travertine slabs lining the walls to a grid of warm wood planks covering the ceiling. The restaurant’s bar and kitchen are both covered in tiny little red tiles that are, according to the restaurant, intended to evoke the vibe of Italian bars designed in the 1960s. Cacti and succulents in terra cotta pots are scattered throughout the space, lending a touch of Texas influence.

Chef de cuisine Adam Garcia will oversee the kitchen at Rosie Cannonball, where much of the menu will be prepared in a live-fire grill that was designed for the restaurant in Italy. As a result, preparations like “charred,” “grilled,” and “roasted” appear frequently on the menu. Pizza, of course, is a fixture, with five different options ranging from the traditional (pepperoni, three-cheese) to the innovative (smoked trout roe, fennel sausage). There’s also an entire section of the menu dedicated to vegetables, ranging from roasted eggplant to grilled mushrooms served with preserved lemon, egg yolk, and chiles, the latter of which Garcia describes as his favorite dish from Spain’s Basque region.

At the bar, find a tight list of cocktails like the Rosie’s negroni (Citadelle gin, Campari, and a blend of amari) and the Downtown Papi (Galiano, rum, coconut, pineapple, lime) and lengthy list of wines by the glass and bottles from Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal, among other locales. There’s also a food menu specifically for the bar, boasting dishes like burrata with charred tomatoes. A decadent cheeseburger, with an equally indulgent $24 price tag, is slathered in Lambrusco-spiked mayo and topped with pickled squash.

Rosie Cannonball [Official Photo]

Rosie Cannonball is now open Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. until “late” for dinner service. Lunch is expected to follow in the coming weeks. Before making a reservation, take a peek inside the space.