New in Branchville: La Piazza

Written by Christopher Burns, Hersam Acorn Newspapers Intern
Friday, 17 August 2012 12:08

Since she first began working in the restaurant business at the age of 16, Helen Zervos has dreamed of owning a restaurant like her newest addition to Ethan Allen Highway - La Piazza. Ms. Zervos said her modern Italian-American restaurant fuses "high quality cuisine, true Mediterranean hospitality, and tremendously affordable pricing" while priding itself on being a traditional family restaurant.

Ms. Zervos and her husband, Demetri, opened La Piazza's doors in May at 37 Ethan Allen Highway in Ridgefield.

Executive Chef Bobby Delbuono, a member of the American Culinary Federation, has created a varied menu. It includes everything from filet mignon, which Ron Finizio, restaurant manager, says "matches perfectly" with an Argentinian Malbec, to personal size pizzas.

Everything prepared in the La Piazza kitchen is fresh and never frozen, and will include locally grown produce during the summer months, said chef Delbuono. "It is the definition of a scratch kitchen, with everything from sauces to stocks being prepared on the premises," he added.

Chef Delbuono personally portions all fish and beef entrees served in La Piazza.

He takes great pride in his career, which began 26 years ago when he got a job breaking down pizza boxes in a restaurant.

The dishes he presents span the entire geography of Italy, from Sicily to Amalfi, while never losing a distinctly American touch.

To go along with the food is a fully stocked bar specializing in wine choices from around the world, a full liquor selection and an eight-tap beer system.

General Manager Ron Finizio offers a rotational wine selection, which he says "is meant to attract both the casual drinker, and the wine enthusiast looking for a diamond in the rough."

At La Piazza, said Ms.

Zervos, her staff prides itself at providing "one of the family" service in the perfectly arranged seating area.

The décor captures the essence of Mediterranean dining and is the perfect place for either a business meeting or a family night out, she said.

Ms. Zervos, who also owns The Tavern on Main in Westport with her husband, wants to keep her business in the family.

Sons John, Leonardo and Tony all work at either La Piazza or The Tavern on Main.

The restaurant is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Phone: 203-544-1212; website: lapiazzact.com.