Bonanno Concepts opens Itameshi restaurant Rōmyō in Denver

Bonanno Concepts opened its newest restaurant, Rōmyō, last month in the Larimer Square district of downtown Denver, Nation's Restaurant News reported. The concept focuses on Itameshi cuisine, a style that combines elements of Japanese and Italian cooking. [1]

The restaurant was founded by husband-and-wife team Frank and Jacqueline Bonanno, according to Nation's Restaurant News. Jacqueline Bonanno, who serves as the company creative director, stated that the idea originated following the COVID pandemic during experimental events at their Italian restaurant, Luca. The restaurant hosted pairing dinners featuring unlikely combinations including Indian, German, Spanish, Japanese, and Moroccan influences with Italian dishes. [1]

Itameshi cuisine, also known as Wafu Italian, dates back to the late 19th century during the Meiji Restoration in Japan. The fusion style grew in popularity during the 1980s as Japanese travelers returned from Europe, leading to widespread adoption in the 1990s. [1][5]