The early word on Pizzeria Delfina in Palo Alto | Peninsula Foodist | Elena Kadvany | Mountain View Online |

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The early word on Pizzeria Delfina in Palo Alto

Uploaded: Oct 31, 2013
Interested walkers-by might have noticed that construction recently started at the old Empire Grill and Tap Room site at 651 Emerson St. in downtown Palo Alto, which will be transformed into a Pizzeria Delfina outpost, hopefully by early February, said Delfina owner Craig Stoll.

Stoll said they've "pretty much gutted the space" to allow for a different feel and infrastructure to fit the restaurant's needs.

The old bar top will be repurposed and turned into a seating area; the patio will remain as a large outdoor seating space.

This is the fourth Pizzeria Delfina location, following two in San Francisco (one in the Mission, one in Pacific Heights) and another on its way to Burlingame. There's also Delfina, the restaurant, next door to the Mission pizzeria location.

Stoll said the Palo Alto location will have a few pastas, the same pizza lineup as the other locations and brunch on the weekends.

"It's also going to be pretty vegetable heavy," he said. "Not a vegetarian restaurant by any means, but a lot of vegetables."

Drink-wise, Palo Alto will be a bit different from the other locations. It's the only member of the Delfina pizzeria empire that will have a full liquor license. They're also going to "adventure out a bit" with the wine list, Stoll said. Other Delfinas are singularly focused on southern Italian wines, but Palo Alto will feature more regions as well as California wines.

"(This) kind of follows our theme," Stoll said. "Pretty much everything we do is Italy as seen through the lens of the Bay Area ? a refractory lens, maybe. The wine program and beer programs will all follow that same format."

Delfina also has a fun Tumblr on which you can follow the Palo Alto restaurant's progress via photos. Check it out: Delfina Digest.
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Comments

Posted by SF transplant, a resident of Community Center,
on Nov 1, 2013 at 1:21 pm

The food at Delfina SF is great. However, they are snobs. When my husband I ate there on occasion, we were seated in the back room with the other middle-aged folks. The "beautiful people" were pretty consistently seated in the front room.


Posted by 94303gal, a resident of another community,
on Nov 2, 2013 at 10:03 am

Ah...their pizza is the BEST! We can't wait. What a great locale for them to open.


Posted by Sharon, a resident of Midtown,
on Nov 3, 2013 at 5:45 pm

Pizzeria Delfina in Palo Alto--

"we are selling a 2012 edition of our Pizzeria PRIDE T?shirt, donating all proceeds to the San Francisco DYKE March"

DYKE ?-


Posted by MehOnPizza, a resident of Crescent Park,
on Nov 4, 2013 at 11:11 am

Just what we need -- another pizza place.


Posted by Jay Park, a resident of Jackson Park,
on Nov 4, 2013 at 1:00 pm

If you have never been to Pizzeria Delfina, I highly recommend it. There's a lack of high-quality pizzerias on the Peninsula: Howie's at Town & Country Village in Palo Alto is nothing special. Pizzeria Delfina also has a wonderful selection of non-pizza items, I always order something fried. I don't always order a pizza either. There are plenty of reasons to go to Pizzeria Delfina beyond pizza.

To the person complaining about attitude at Restaurant Delfina, I'm sorry to hear you had a miserable time, the two times I've been were great, and the service was polished but not snooty. The pizzeria next door has a more relaxed environment.

As for the DYKE March, Delfina has been an advocate for this long-standing annual event (which happens on the eve of the SF Pride Parade). The DYKE March starts at Dolores Park and goes down 18th Street (where Delfina Restaurant and the adjacent pizzeria are located).

I'm looking forward to a high-quality pizzeria option on the South Peninsula.


Posted by Elena Kadvany, a resident of another community,
on Nov 4, 2013 at 1:09 pm

Jay Park: Thank you for your comments! You beat me to the punch on a few. Thanks for explaining the DYKE March. I too think Delfina will be filling a Peninsula pizza (and more) void. I'm sure the space - indoor and outdoor - will be beautiful as well. Emerson Street is becoming quite the block.

To SF Transplant: I'm also sorry about your experience; it sounds unlike the Delfina vibe I've experienced. I hope it doesn't turn you away from eating at the pizzeria, but I totally understand how experiences like that can taint a place.


Posted by Sparty, a resident of another community,
on Nov 4, 2013 at 2:25 pm

So glad empire tap room is gone. Always a bunch of rude jerks working there


Posted by Michael, a resident of Mountain View,
on Dec 1, 2013 at 10:10 am

I pray they do not stray too far from SF on the wine program. There are plenty of spots to have California wines down here. My wife and I are seeking a temple if Southern Italian Vino. Stay the wonderful course Delfina!
Cheers,
M


Posted by iChrisD, a resident of Downtown North,
on Mar 15, 2014 at 12:34 pm

Just what we need, another pizza place in Palo Alto! AND they gutted the place, destroying the beautiful ambience and gorgeous bar!? What idiots! I will NOT be supporting this place.


Posted by Palo Altan, a resident of Old Palo Alto,
on Dec 3, 2014 at 10:53 am

The inside part of the restaurant is lively and fun, and the food is delicious. Great service, too. But, they wrecked the beautiful ambiance of the outdoor seating area.


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