As COVID-19 restrictions ease, Picazzo’s Wholesome Italian Kitchen is serving up an answer for these seeking to shed any lingering “Quarantine 15″ kilos.
Picazzo’s, situated at 7325 Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard, is an Arizona-based family-owned healthcentric restaurant, providing a menu of salads, entrees, pasta and pizza. The eatery fuses modern-Italian delicacies with daring flavors of Asian, Mediterranean and Mexican elements.
Boasting different areas in Sedona, Tempe, Gilbert, Paradise Valley and Arrowhead, Picazzo’s serves 90 to 95 % natural produce. It sources complete meals wealthy in vitamins for self-described “Healthitarians” – together with gluten-free diners.
In line with Picazzo’s Director of Operations Chris Disney, the restaurant’s enterprise has been booming following the onset of the pandemic, regardless of provide shortages confronted by companies throughout the nation.
“It’s nice so far as enterprise goes,” Disney tells Airpark Information. “After the pandemic, individuals who have in all probability been sitting at dwelling and doing take out and simply form of consolation and stress consuming – I believe (they) are attempting to compensate for more healthy life once more.”
Cue Picazzo’s.
The Italian kitchen prides itself on its gluten- and- vegan-free menus.
Picazzo’s sources NAE (No Antibiotics Ever), hormone-free and American Humane Licensed hen wings and breast, based on its web site. It additionally options nitrate/nitrite free meats, like its sausage from certified-green firm Polidori.
All sauces and dressings are constructed from scratch utilizing natural spices and non-GMO sunflower and imported olive oils, Picazzo’s web site continues. Friends can both decide to take pleasure in dishes just like the Lasagna Bolognese ($18), the Sustainable Salmon Picatta ($27) or the unique hand-stretched Meaty Meaty pizza ($22).
A separate vegan menu options choices of salads, entrées, pasta, pizza and desserts utilizing manufacturers that assist the plant-based weight loss plan, resembling Comply with Your Coronary heart, Daiya and Past Meat.
“We’ve the vegan menu and supply a whole lot of vegan merchandise that form of, I believe, simply make it a better transition (to a more healthy life-style),” Disney says. “Our produce is 95 % natural, which is fairly unparalleled. The elements are actually essential.”
Rick Freedman based Picazzo’s in Sedona in 2002 when he noticed the necessity for a pleasant pizza place within the rising space. In 2004, the restaurant expanded into the Valley and opened its Scottsdale Airpark location.
The corporate reevaluated what makes it distinctive from its new saturated market of opponents. The enterprise constructed off of its already-popular gluten-free pizza crust when it opened its Paradise Valley location in 2008.
Shifting towards full Italian choices was Picazzo’s turning level. It pioneered providing a full menu of gluten-free choices for folks to decide on historically gluten-filled dishes with out concern.
Because it appealed increasingly more to the gluten-free clients, Picazzo’s noticed a gap to supply choices for different forms of dietary restrictions, together with soy, GMO, corn, dairy and veganism.
Regardless of financial hardships introduced on by COVID-19, Disney says Picazzo’s continues to evolve. The restaurant has battled with provide shortages, however is doubling down on its efforts to proceed to increase its already intensive listing of vegan and health-conscious menu choices.
“There are positively some struggles on the operations facet of issues – however every little thing below the solar is having an outing and that’s one thing not everyone understands,” Disney explains, noting that the restaurant has been dealing with paper provide shortages. Picazzo’s strives to make the most of eco-friendly packaging, a luxurious that’s tougher to return by, he says.
The menu isn’t the one factor altering, both.
The Picazzo’s Scottsdale location is being reworked to replace its signage, Disney says. Comfy sales space seating, offering for an inviting ambiance, is being integrated into the inside, in addition to pops of greenery through new snake vegetation.
Daring Plant Hen, a 100% plant-based product with zero animal hormones, animal antibiotics and saturated fats, can also be hitting the menu for these seeking to fulfill hen cravings guilt-free.
“I might say for lots of Picazzo’s gadgets, we actually get down within the turmoil and into the merchandise. We learn the labels,” Disney says. “We’re doing this for the people who find themselves making an attempt to be gluten-free or transferring in that route.”
For extra details about Picazzo’s Wholesome Italian Kitchen, or to order on-line, go to picazzos.com.
