Nestled between Penn Ave and Woolslayer Way (what an amazing street name), Piazza Talarico and Papa Joe’s Wine Cellar is an authentic Italian experience with an added American flare. We were greeted by the owner, Beth, and Anna-Marie, who told us, “taste all the wine you like until you find the one you love!” Although they don’t have any official happy hour specials, the fact that you can try any and all wine you’d like is pretty special!
While we contemplated what to try, Beth gave us some history on the restaurant on how it came to be. She and her father, an avid at-home wine maker for years, decided to ditch the “at-home” status and turned their dream into a brick and mortar reality. Open just over a year, they have transformed their space into a cozy and welcoming winery/
pizzeria. Not to mention they have a marvelous back patio where they host jazz nights in the summer. I’m not necessarily a jazz person, but you give me a glass of their wine and pizza, and I’ll skib-bidee-bop my way over there with the ghost of Duke Ellington any day. *Those of you who watch Big Mouth will get a much bigger kick out of that last sentence than those who do not.
Speaking of wine and pizza, we sampled all of the reds, which poured right from the wall in a tap system that would thrill any wine enthusiast. After swirling and sniffing and pretending like we know anything about wine, we made our choice. And the winner is: the Petit Sirah. A carafe of it. We sat and sipped on our wine while we waited somewhat patiently for our pepperoni pizza. Omg, guys, this pizza.
We weren’t really ready for a meal so before we had the pizza in front of us we decided that we’d being taking home leftovers, but I kid you not this pizza lasted 0.4 seconds before we scarfed it down. I almost ordered a second for myself alone. It had a delicious thin crust and little baby pepperonis. OH and three ‘uge pieces of basil that were as green as the jolly green giant. I can try to paint this picture but I might as well take this perfect opportunity to show yinz the real life ‘za:
With food, drink, and a friendly staff such as Piazza Talarico, I can’t say enough good things about this place. My advice: get your own pizza and carafe (sharing or not).
Have you been here or are you looking to try some place new (#NewPlaceSameMe)? Let us know in the comments below!!