Patricia’s Pizza is a gluten-free paradise in Scottsdale
Any pizza joint with a general manager named Paulie, with a personality to match the old-world name, is a winner in my book. Just as Pauly brings an East Coast Italian vibe into Patricia’s Pizza, Chef Vittorio Colafranceschi offers his home country’s Italian flavors and finesse, making this North Scottsdale restaurant a one-of-a-kind must-try.
Patricia’s Pizza musts
- Order the Fresh Mozzarella Caprese. It has a mix of yellow and red tomatoes with basil and the perfect amount of EVOO.
- Get any of the gluten-free pizzas, but the Norcina: San Marzano tomato + Sicilian sausage + mushrooms + onions + shallots + cream + truffle essence is especially tasty.
- Treat yourself to an Italian soda. I recommend the strawberry.
Why Patricia’s Pizza just works
What’s so impressive about Patricia’s Pizza is that, as a must-try, you feel like it’s not trying, in the best way. Food, service and atmosphere seamlessly blend to make the dining experience unique.
Gluten-free pizza paradise
As a plus-one to Gluten-Free Travel Girl, I was able to sample several of the gluten-free offerings at Patricia’s Pizza. Let me tell you, if you subscribe to a gluten-free diet, this menu is a GF goldmine.
We asked if gluten-free food is prepared separately, and it is. But I’m not celiac, only gluten-sensitive, so be sure to ask about and discuss your dietary restrictions with your server.
Gluten-free pizzas we sampled
- Quattro Carne: Sicilian sausage, Roni pepperoni, prosciutto cotto, crispy speck, red onions, olives
- Norcina: San Marzano tomato, Sicilian sausage mushrooms, onions, shallots, cream, truffle essence
- The Calabrian: red sauce, fior di latte mozzarella, Calabrese salami, spicy giardiniera, arugula and Mike’s Hot Honey
Gluten-free menu additions
- Fresh Mozzarella Caprese: heirloom tomato, basil, EVOO, flake salt
- Italian ceviche: gluten-free tortillas with a special shrimp-based ceviche
- Pressed panini sandwich on a gluten-free roll (Chef Colafranceschi made us a one-off panini with thin-sliced turkey and melted cheese, and it was every bit as delicious as it sounds.)
- Strawberry Italian soda (they have several other flavors)
Why Italian flour hits differently
Because I’m gluten-sensitive and don’t have a gluten allergy, I’m often able to tolerate Italian flours. Many traditional Italian flours are milled differently and can feel lighter and easier to digest than their American counterparts.
With that in mind, I ordered the Margherita DOP: San Marzano tomato sauce, fior di latte mozzarella, fresh basil and EVOO, and it was divine.
The vision behind Patricia’s Pizza
The deep Italian flavors of Patricia’s clearly come from the expertise of award-winning restaurateur Melissa Maggiore Meyer and her love for authentic Italian cuisine.
Proud daughter of legendary chef and famed restaurateur Tomaso Maggiore, Maggiore Meyer has established concepts in both California and Arizona, including La Bruschetta in La Jolla, Zibibbo Italian Bistro in Encinitas, Tommy V’s Urban Kitchen in Carlsbad and The Italian Daughter in North Scottsdale.
Takeaway
This is hands-down one of my new favorite pizza restaurants in the Valley. For my gluten-free friends, the pies at Patricia’s are among the best of the best.
Patricia’s Pizza info and hours
Sunday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Daily happy hour: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Address:
32607 N Scottsdale Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85266
To learn more, visit patriciaspizzaaz.com and patriciaspizzaaz.com/menus.
