Italian feeling, and taste, too
Piazza 27 makes a welcome addition to the atmosphere in Mount Vernon
And the first level of that corner building brings Italy to mind with the recent arrival of Piazza 27, which aims to evoke the atmosphere of an informal restaurant you might encounter in the central square — the “piazza’” — of an Italian town. A specific square, as it turns out.
The piazza in picturesque Monte di Procida along the Italian coast west of Naples is where Piazza 27 co-owner Antonio Chiaro hails from; pictures from that charming locale are printed on the menu.
“There is a lot of business there in the summer,” Chiaro says, “but the rest of the year, not so much.”
So he sought a place in this country where he could build an all-year business, and found in the Mount Vernon neighborhood the right vibes for Piazza 27. The restaurant offers an extensive menu at remarkably reasonable prices (a liquor license might be in the future; meanwhile, it’s BYOB).
You can get takeout or delivery here, but this is the kind of place where you feel like grabbing a table and lingering over a meal.
The baked ziti ($9.49) satisfied. The ricotta-mozzarella-parmigiano top was applied in moderation. Most importantly, the dish was not drenched in tomato sauce, which so many ostensibly Italian restaurants in this country turn into the Red Sea.
Pizzas can be outfitted with a sizable range of toppings, including several vegetarian options. We found the 3 Formaggi white pizza rewarding ($10.49 for 12-inch, $15.49 for 16-inch), not just for the fresh flavor of its three cheeses, but for the decorative flourish of the ricotta, piped like icing around the pie. The moderately thin crust fulfilled its supporting role solidly.
The margarita ($10.49 for 12-inch, $15.49 for 16-inch) would have pleased more with just the sliced tomato, mozzarella and basil, not the addition of tomato sauce. Chiaro said he would prefer to serve it that way, but has found that most pizza lovers here want it sauced.
In addition to stromboli, calzoni and subs, the menu offers panini choices that come with a snappy little green salad. In the Bravo panini ($8.49), sliced turkey breast, bacon, provolone, baby spinach, tomatoes and mayo make a hearty combo on excellent bread.