“Uh oh. I sense a new blogpost coming,” said my husband during a recent dinner out.
And although I denied it as we were dining at Tazza Pizzeria – Pizza at the Cup, I couldn’t help but consider the possibility. And so, here I am, writing about Tazzo and another “nearly” Tosa dining spot.
First Tazza. I have a confession, I miss The Milwaukee Coffee Company, the former identity of that tiny retail front at 50th and Vliet. The food, the coffee and the artsy metallic interior were very hip. Plus, it all fit with the infamous giant cup that is perched on the roof. Alas, they went away and were replaced by a bagel restaurant and then some non-descript sandwich place.
Now, it’s Tazza. They’ve completely redone the interior with cute and clever pizza symbols. (Don't worry, the cup is still there.) The front window, which can open in nice weather, sits behind a tiny outdoor eating area. With Wick Park directly across the street, this place should be bustling.
The pizza is quite good. Not amazing, but definitely worth the trip. The salad was quite fresh - better than average. The meatball sandwich was gigantic and very tasty. The beer selection is pretty good and each table offers a bottle of wine. They also offer delivery in an adorable three-wheeled vehicle that probably stops traffic…and saves gas.
Just up the street, Meritage, across from The Times Theatre has generated lots of buzz since it opened last year. When my husband and I first tried it, just weeks after its opening, we walked in without reservations and practically had the place to ourselves. Now, you would be hard-pressed to have that kind of luck. Meritage has arrived, and for good reason. On a Friday night, the place was packed and we saw a couple of walk-ins turned away. Too bad for them.
Meritage features both seasonal and locally grown dishes that are both creative and tasty. The menu changes regularly and the wine list is terrific. And, even better, on a very busy night, the service was absolutely excellent. A night at Meritage is reasonably priced and certainly worthwhile for a special evening out.
Although neither Tazza nor Meritage are Tosa businesses, I still think it’s in our best interest that they are successful. Judging by our recent visits, the future looks bright.
