Historic Folsom has welcomed its newest restaurant: Fiori Italian Pizzeria. This exciting addition officially opened its doors to the public in a familiar spot on Sutter Street.
The new Italian eatery occupies the space previously home to J. Wild’s at 614 Sutter Street, at the intersection of Riley Street. J. Wild’s, a barbecue-themed restaurant, closed in August of last year due to economic challenges. Before J. Wild’s, the location was the longtime home of Chicago Fire.
After extensive renovations to the approximately 3,300-square-foot space, pizza has returned to this prime location. Fiori Italian Pizzeria is the brainchild of owners Bulent Ozel and Serkan Bikim, who also operate the successful Rose Park Bistro in Roseville. Both bring a wealth of experience to their latest venture. Ozel co-owns Park & Howard Bistro in Burlingame, while Bikim manages multiple Bay Area restaurants, including Pasha Mediterranean. Ilkay Ozdogan, a former assistant manager at Park & Howard Bistro, is also part of the Fiori team.
Fiori specializes in traditional, artisanal pizzas, crafted in a wood-fired oven to achieve a perfect balance of crispy crust and fresh, flavorful toppings. Among their standout offerings is the classic Margherita pizza, featuring buffalo mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, and basil. For more adventurous diners, the Fantastico Pizza combines bresaola, San Marzano tomato sauce, Fior di Latte mozzarella, red onions, cherry tomatoes, and arugula. Another unique creation is the Quattro Stagioni Pizza, topped with San Daniele prosciutto, burrata, arugula, eggplant, artichokes, and zucchini.
“Fiori Italian Pizzeria will specialize in traditional Neapolitan-style pizza,” Ozel explained in an earlier interview with the Folsom Times. “All of our 12-inch pizzas will be wood-fired. We will also offer homemade pastas and raviolis, as well as a couple of other dishes like branzino, steaks, and chicken.”
While pizza takes center stage, Fiori’s menu extends beyond the oven. Diners can enjoy a variety of house-made pasta dishes, including spaghetti carbonara, mamma’s lasagna, gnocchi, and ravioli aragosta. Meat entrées such as chicken Parmigiana, salmon, ribeye steaks, and lamb shanks round out the extensive offerings. The menu also features an array of unique salads.
Fiori’s full-service bar elevates the dining experience with handcrafted cocktails, including Italian-inspired aperitifs like Aperol Spritz. Guests can also choose from a selection of wines, beers, whiskeys, and more. The restaurant offers indoor dining in two distinct sections of the building, as well as a spacious patio perfect for alfresco dining.
Whether stopping by for a casual meal or a special celebration, Fiori delivers an authentic taste of Italy in the heart of Folsom. Its blend of traditional flavors, welcoming ambiance, and exceptional bar offerings makes it a must-visit destination for locals and visitors alike.
Fiori is currently fine-tuning its website, but their menu is available online at www.fiorifolsom.com. For inquiries, call 916-693-6786. At this time the restaurants advertised hours are Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. until 9 p.m.. Friday and Saturday’s they are open until 10 p.m.
