A former owner of a beloved Oakland dive bar has teamed up with family to open Alida’s Woodfired Cucina in Lawrenceville in new construction at 3345 Penn Ave.
Eugene DePasquale, an owner of college bar go-to Panther Hollow Inn that opened in 1997 and closed in 2013, has paired up with his cousins, Mark Diulus and his son Albert Diulus, to open a red sauce Italian spot with pizza options in a new space that seats 65 and will eventually have sidewalk seating.
Mark Diulus says his family has always wanted to open a restaurant and took advantage of the new space when he learned it was being built.
The restaurant space is part of the Shops at Doughboy, a $7 million, 48,000-square-foot retail and residential project that’s been a work in progress since before 2012.
Mr. Diulus’ son will steer the bar with Mr. DePasquale, while Maureen McNally will serve as the general manager. Ryan Rembert is the head chef.
Look for a menu of wood-fired pizzas that start at $15 with the option of more than 20 toppings. Appetizers include fried zucchini, stuffed banana peppers, meatballs and “bocce balls,” stuffed with cheese, sausage, and spinach and topped with marinara. Entrees range from ravioli and gnocchi to osso buco for $15 to $32.
There will be a full bar with 15 or so beers on tap.
The restaurant has soft-opened with abbreviated hours and menus as the restaurant gets its footing. The grand opening with the full menu will be the day after Thanksgiving on Nov. 24.
Melissa McCart: mmccart@post-gazette.com; Instagram @postgazettefood; Facebook @postgazettefood
First Published: November 13, 2017, 8:53 p.m.
