Pizzeria Bianco 623 E Adams St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, 602.258.8300
Bianco has been a favorite of mine for the past three years or so, both for the food as well as the experience. Nationally acclaimed by food critics, it has been an Arizona staple since 1987. Bianco has changed location a few times throughout history, but has spent almost the last 15 years is located downtown in the Baird Machine Shop's historic site. The small space has a modern feel and only seats about 40 people, which sometimes means over two hour wait times. In my opinion, that's part of the experience and brings to mind the question "Is a restaurant really any good if you go there at dinner time on a Friday or Saturday and it doesn't have people willing to wait for the food?" To do Pizzeria Bianco properly, make it a late afternoon event where you expect a wait and plan to have a glass of wine (or two) next door at Bar Bianco. Recently, they extended their hours to include lunchtime, which has significantly decreased the wait time for a table. In fact the last time I went (on a Thursday at 4pm) we were able to get a seat at the restaurant bar immediately...which we declined to go spend some time at Bar Bianco because it felt wrong not to wait at least an hour for a table! Several of the wait staff have been at Bianco for years, and it gives a familiar, homey vibe to the experience even though Chris (the owner) no longer mans the wood fired pizza oven.
When it comes to pizza, I'm not die hard for one style over another. There are times where you want the solid heartiness of deep dish, and others (like an Arizona summer) where you want something a bit lighter and not so heavy. What strikes me about Bianco is the freshness and authenticity of the pizza. Chris Bianco, the owner, spent a year in Italy to perfect his pizza, and came back with a pie that features a delightful balance of handmade dough, mozzarella they make onsite every morning, locally grown vegetables, and herbs from the garden in between the restaurant and Bar Bianco. For any Arizona resident who hasn't experienced Pizzeria Bianco - make a point to discover it this summer; it's worth the wait!
When it comes to pizza, I'm not die hard for one style over another. There are times where you want the solid heartiness of deep dish, and others (like an Arizona summer) where you want something a bit lighter and not so heavy. What strikes me about Bianco is the freshness and authenticity of the pizza. Chris Bianco, the owner, spent a year in Italy to perfect his pizza, and came back with a pie that features a delightful balance of handmade dough, mozzarella they make onsite every morning, locally grown vegetables, and herbs from the garden in between the restaurant and Bar Bianco. For any Arizona resident who hasn't experienced Pizzeria Bianco - make a point to discover it this summer; it's worth the wait!
If you like pretzels, you must try the Soft Pretzel & Provolone Fondue. I don't even want to know the calorie count, but I would skip lunch before I go here again just so I can eat them all and still have room for dinner!
I crave salty and savory food more than sweets, and the Crab Stuffed Chicken, with it's lemon caper sauce on top of a bed of spinach was so amazing I kept picking at it long after I was full (finally I told the waitress to take it away from me so I'd stop trying to eat more - and I'm not a girl that's afraid to actually eat and enjoy food in front of a guy!). My date had the Beef Short Rib Stew, and what a punch of flavor! There was an intensity to the stew without being overwhelming, and the fried egg on top made it more exotic than just a bowl of soup.
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