Brightleaf: Piazza Italia scrunches over, makes room for seafood digs

Still more dining news from this crazy, hungry city: Regulars to Brightleaf Square may have noticed that Piazza Italia, the one-year-old Italian restaurant at the Main/Gregson corner of the shopping center, appeared to have vacated the north end of the premises where their gelato store was.

The first bit of good news is, the gelato's not gone -- it's moved over to Amelia's the dessert/cafe shop on Brightleaf Square's southern end. Amelia's, like Piazza Italia and the Brazilian churrascaria Chamas, is owned by Raquel Siqueira and Rosana Silva.

The second bit of good news is, the gelato's moved for a good reason: According to a source, Siqueira and Silva are reportedly opening a seafood restaurant in the northern corner of the Piazza Italia restaurant. No news on what the new restaurant -- which will be in plain view of Fishmonger's, celebrating its 25-year anniversary just across the street -- will be named or when it will open.

Comments

[GelatoUp]

I had the pistachio gelato this past weekend. It was fabulous.

[durhamfood]

Hopefully the new place will be better than Piazza Italia, which I really don't like at all.

Also, Fishmongers rocks!

[Dan S.]

I'll agree with DurhamFood that Piazza Italia isn't all that breathtaking, IMHO -- especially considering that Tosca, a block away, charges about the same for much better italian food.

That said, I welcome a nearby seafood place to give Fishmonger's a run for their money -- perhaps forcing them to improve their sanitation scores a little. (I know it's been better in recent years, but I'll always remember their scores in the low 80's for allowing raw fish to sit out at room temperature...)

[peanutbutter]

Seems like the Amelia's Piazza Chamas group has caught Bakatsias-itis.

definition: a single owner diversifying into too many restaurant types leads to a clumping of mediocre restaurants

I'll be interested to try their new seafood place, but I wish they could focus on one and make it good.

[Lenore]

Too bad Amelia's isn't wheelchair accessible...

[cw]

I agree that Piazza Italia is so-so, but I don't think Tosca is much better. My experience with Tosca has been pretty negative. Piazza Italia has the upper-hand since the gelato is fabulous.

[KeepDurhamDifferent!]

I know it is tempting to dismiss Fishmongers as old and tired, especially compared to Blu or whatever bright and shiny thing is coming to Brightleaf. From the street it looks like it might be a Calabash style fry-fest, or a place where you might not want to eat raw oysters.

You would be mistaken. You can get your seafood prepared any way you wish, and it will be delicious. Try the soft shell crabs, or the fried oyster poboy. It's not quite up to New Orleans standards, but it's affordable everyday seafood and the beer selection is tremendous. Plus you can smoke at the bar!

[Carol]

I wouldn't consider smoking at the bar a positive thing. Its great having restaurant options that don't include the smell of smoke,e.g., Rue Cler

[Anon]

The fact that they allow smoking is a BIG negative. I wouldn't go again for that reason.

[Michael Bacon]

To be fair, the smoking is only in the upstairs oyster bar.

That said, despite being friends with the manager and having several friends who nearly live in the place, I wouldn't blame anyone for having a pretty dim view of it. The gulf coast oysters aren't very good at all, the steamed stuff is routinely overcooked, and while your normal fish specials are fine, they're also pretty pricey to be coming in paper-lined plastic baskets.

Thank goodness the vegetable side selection has improved -- I no longer feel actively annoyed going in there, just usually a little unimpressed. If they'd start getting NC oysters in season, that might be something...

[merry]

I used to go to Fishmonger's occasionally since it was pretty much the only seafood restaurant around, but what turned me off was the service. Every time I was there, probably 5 or 6 times over a 2 year period, it appeared there was one staff person acting as cashier and downstairs wait staff. It was impossible to get anything including something to drink or the check once your food arrived as the wait person never had time to come back by the table. After several really bad experiences like that we decided to never go back. Of course that was ten years ago so maybe things have changed and I should give them another chance.

[DRR]

Merry - I haven't been myself, but a coworker went for the first time last week and had pretty much exactly the same complaints that you did. Sounds like things haven't changed.

[Hanna Heys]

Piazza is the best italian food around, they make their own pasta (don't know anoyone else that does in Durham) and I was not disapointed with the food at all, I 've been there 4 times last month and everything I tried was delicious. The restaurant is beatifull, the service have to improve but it's not bad. Check their sanitation score 102, probably the only one in Durham , specially if you compare to Fishmongers. I will check their Seafood place...