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What it is now Radda Trattoria will soon become Ella, a fine American diner. Behind the transformation is Boulder entrepreneur Edwin Zoe, a first generation Chinese immigrant who made his fortune in the software world with Aspex Corp., a point-of-sales system. Zoe is known in the food world for his other restaurant, Zoe Ma Ma, a popular Chinese eatery he opened with his mother in 2010. In 2012, Zoe bought out his partners and became the controlling parter at Radda Trattoria.
On May 26, Radda Trattoria, the Italian restaurant that has occupied the space at 1265 Alpine Avenue since 2007, will close. After remodeling, Ella will open in the 3,500-square-foot restaurant that can seat 100 guests in June.
"I want people to come to Ella for their favorite classics, without feeling rushed or disappointed," Zoe said. "This will be elevated diner fare, and the fine-casual setting will encourage people to linger and enjoy themselves," he added.
Ella, named after jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner with a full bar, featuring spiked milkshakes and more. Edwin envisions his new venture as a neighborhood anchor, a great place for a leisurely Sunday morning, a mid-week lunch, a happy-hour hangout or a cozy dinner. Zoe plans to periodically partner with local non-profits for fundraising events throughout the year.
If you need more proof that Boulder's dining scene is back on the rise, note that chef Hosea Rosenberg will open Blackbelly Market, this summer and that the Bitter Bar reopened in a new formatjust a week ago.
· Radda Power Shifts: Edwin Zoe Buys Out Partners [EDen]
· Hosea Rosenberg Will Open Blackbelly Market [EDen]