For 10 years, RedRossa Italian Grille has been consistently serving a wide range of clientele in Pierre.
“RedRossa is a comfortable, welcoming environment where you can come in and get Italian food with American fun.” – Matt Sawyer
“It’s a great location, because you get people traveling across the state and you get to see a lot of different faces from around South Dakota,” said regional director for WR Hospitality Matt Sawyer.
From lobbyists and legislators in the winter, to outdoor enthusiasts in the summer and fall, Sawyer says the location on West Sioux Avenue never has a slow season.
“With being centrally located in the state, being our state capital, and having quality outdoor activities, there never seems to be a time when we’re not busy,” said Sawyer. “It’s a unique property in that way.”
MORE ON THE MENU
STARTERS
» Calamari Fritti
Roasted red peppers, banana pepper, lemon, and marinara.
SOUPS & SALADS
» Gorgonzola & Pear
Spinach, crisp prosciutto, dried cranberry, spiced walnut, and sweet Vidalia dressing.
BURGERS & SANDWICHES
» The Hangover Burger
Fried egg, American cheese, applewood bacon, and Tabasco mayo.
ENTRÉES
» Sparkling Chicken
Lightly dusty pan-seared chicken, crimini mushroom, champagne cream sauce, asiago mashed potato, and asparagus.
PIZZA
» Roasted Fennel & Sausage
Olive oil, roasted garlic, Italian sausage, smoked mozzarella, asiago, and arugula.
DESSERT
» Cappuccino Toffee Torte
Fudge chocolate cake, chocolate ganache, toffee pieces, and cappuccino ice cream.
The authentic Italian-American restaurant is best known for its extensive selection of house-made pasta and wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas. Pizzas are cooked to order on a homemade, hand-tossed crust.
“I’m a big fan of our pizzas,” said Sawyer.
A go-to pizza is The Italian with tomato sauce, Italian sausage, spicy salami, pepperoni, olive, basil, and fresh mozzarella. The best selling pasta is the Spicy Chicken & Shrimp Romano with chicken, shrimp, penne, spicy romano cream, sun-dried tomato, mushroom, and scallion.
RedRossa is also known for a vast selection of appetizers, like Calamari Fritti, Firecracker Shrimp, and Italian Nachos. The nachos are a unique take on the appetizer with wonton chips, smoked mozzarella, pepper jack cheese, Italian sausage, pepperoni, banana peppers, tomato, olives, and marinara.
FAQ:
Is RedRossa in Pierre the same as the former RedRossa Napoli Pizza in Sioux Falls?
Answer:
Sort of.
“The RedRossa in Sioux Falls was the original RedRossa, if you will,” said Sawyer. “That concept was ‘fast and casual’, where people went to the counter, ordered, and then had food delivered.”
The menu included salads, pastas, and wood-fired pizzas, but was a much more limited selection.
Sawyer says the WR Hospitality team took the positive feedback from the food and created a more full-service model for the Pierre location.
For entrées, RedRossa has everything from sandwiches and burgers, to higher end items like the Sirloin Blue Bella. The signature steak is a grilled eight ounce sirloin with gorgonzola cream sauce, fried onion, asiago mashed potato, and balsamic reduction.
Sawyer says they often let the staff experiment with the menu.
“We will do a lot with our local leadership,” said Sawyer. “Chefs and managers have the opportunity to create their own dishes, so we typically have daily features.”
For those on the go or who are sitting down for a quick bite, the Lunch Special is available with one soup or salad and a half entrée for $12.
“It’s a nice light lunch for someone who is not looking for a full sized meal,” said Sawyer.
Soups include the Garlic & Prosciutto Potato Soup and the Tomato Bisque, while salads include the House Chop, Garden, Caesar, or the Gorgonzola Pear & Spinach. For the half entrée, choose between the Reuben, Triple Mac ‘N Cheese, Chicken Alfredo De Fettuccini, and the Turkey Bruschetta Sandwich.
“PIZZAS AND PASTAS ARE KIND OF OUR BREAD AND BUTTER HERE.” – MATT SAWYER
The restaurant also is known for its “lively bar,” says Sawyer, and aside from the extensive wine list, popular drinks include the Sangria. Sangrias are made with RedRossa’s house-made Sangria mix and can be ordered on the rocks or frozen with options of Peach, Red Berry, Pomegranate, Mango, and Cherry.
“We also have an extensive cocktail selection, like our Limoncello martini,” said Sawyer. “Another frequently ordered drink is our bloody mary.”
The RedRossa Mary is served with vodka, bloody mary mix, pickle, 3 lime, and an olive garnish.
Aside from the traditional dining, RedRossa also offers catering and private event spaces that can accommodate anywhere from 20 guests to 140.
“It’s a great place for meetings,” said Sawyer.
Whatever the case may be for stopping by RedRossa, Sawyer says that it seems there’s no slowing down.
He said, “It’s incredible, because this is one of our smaller markets that we operate in, but it’s one of our higher revenue dining.”
For more information, visit REDROSSA.COM.
