Zia Maria Chelsea

Cacio e Pepe

A Roman staple done with restraint — creamy, peppery, and properly emulsified without the gluey shortcuts that plague lesser versions

Carbonara

Egg-yolk-rich and guanciale-forward, this is a textbook carbonara that holds its temperature and doesn't break at the table

Margherita Pizza

Thin-crust with a properly blistered base, bright tomato sauce, and fresh mozzarella that pools rather than slides — the benchmark by which to judge the rest of the menu

Burrata

Creamy, cloud-like burrata served with seasonal accompaniments — a reliable opener that sets the tone for the meal

Tiramisu

House-made and properly boozy, with ladyfingers that have absorbed enough espresso to be soft without collapsing into mush

Brunch pizza or egg-topped flatbread

Weekend brunch brings Italian-inflected egg dishes and pizza variants that make a strong case for skipping the standard American brunch circuit