About Us

I grew up in Staten Island and moved to NC in 2003. I opened my first pizzeria to serve Johnston county now I'm serving the city of Raleigh Downtown. Very proud to be under the AC Hotel I've built all my spots from the ground up. From dish washing, to making pies, to cooking now I've opened a 5 star restaurant in Raleigh. I've developed my own brand with my family. Taking the game to a whole other level cuz!
-Anthony

In Cleveland, cozy Italian eatery

Anthony Piazza began working at pizza shops in Brooklyn before he was old enough to drive.

"I learned from the hard knocks," he said. "I started as a dishwasher and worked my way (up) learning everything." Now 28, Piazza owns La Piazza Italian Restaurant in the Cleveland community. The New York native followed his uncle to North Carolina in 2004. Restaurants have become a family business. His uncle owns a place in Cary, and Scafidi owned pizza shops in Angier and McGee's Crossroads with his cousin. His mother also owns a place.
But now, Piazza is focused on La Piazza, a cozy eatery in the shopping plaza at the inter section of NC. 42 and N.C. 50.

He opened the restaurant about four and a half years ago, when the plaza was brand new and Lowes Foods had just opened.

Piazza said he chose the location because he wanted to avoid the bustle of the inter change of NC. 42 and Inter state 40 but still be close enough to Cleveland and Raleigh.

"I kind of didn't want to go in the mess", he said of the heart of the Cleveland com munity.

The menu: La Piazza is a pasta lover's paradise. Linguine, baked ziti, lobster ravioli and gnocchi are on the menu. There are also Italian dishes that diners can't find at just any restaurant, like veal saltimbocca and chicken Marsala. Seafood options include shrimp Marsala and shrimp scaloppini.

Most popular: Despite some authentic, hard-to-find Italian dishes, Scafidi said his most popular menu item is lasagna. It's basic, he said, and many customers haven't ventured past the basics.
"I guess they're learning," he said, joking.
Pizza: La Piazza offers a variety of pizzas that are pre pared New York style, with thin crust. They're baked in brick ovens.

Desserts: What's an Italian restaurant without cannolis? Other treats are also avail able, including tiramisu, car rot cake and New York cheesecake.
Fresh ingredients: "We don't mess with microwaves here," Scafidi said.

Dinner crowd: Like many eateries in the Cleveland community, La Piazza doesn't draw a large lunch crowd. But the restaurant gets busy for dinner, he said.
The atmosphere: In the evenings, Scafidi lights the fire place in the dining room, and candles flicker on the tables. It creates a cozy, intimate feel.

The bar: La Piazza has a full bar, with martinis, margaritas and an extensive wine list. There's beer too-New Yorkers love Boar's Head beer, Scafidi said.

Kids too: The eatery is family friendly. A kids' menu includes chicken fingers and spaghetti.

Cost: Most entrees are be tween $10 and $15.

Catering and takeout: Both are available.

Location: 7277 NC. 42

Phone:662-5007