A family-built Italian dining group has entered its next chapter with a refined vision for hospitality. Pizzicata owners/spouses Frederico Venturini and Viola Tagliaferri is sharing its high-level Italian dining experience shaped by their personal journey. Their restaurants began as a leap of faith when the couple emigrated from Umbria, Italy, in 2018.
READ MORE: Here’s why the Arizona economy is poised to accelerate
LOCAL NEWS: Want more stories like this? Get our free newsletter here
Tagliaferri and Venturini’s Glendale restaurant reflects their penchant for creative design and craft and top-notch hospitality.
Set at 19420 N. 59th Ave., Suite C117, the new restaurant occupies a prominent corner of The Citadel, a center known for its European-inspired architecture, warm energy, and strong neighborhood presence.
The location mirrors the atmosphere and spirit of the Italian towns that shaped the couple’s early culinary lives.
“Glendale felt like home from the moment we arrived,” Venturini said.
“The Citadel has the visibility, the energy, and the beauty that allow us to build something truly special. We knew this was the right place to bring the next evolution of Pizzicata.”
More than a new restaurant, Pizzicata Glendale has an elevated, thoughtfully choreographed space that captures the maturity of the brand and its continued desire to innovate.
Key elements of the new Pizzicata Glendale include:
A prominent corner location inside The Citadel, giving Pizzicata instant visibility and situating it within one of Glendale’s most charming, European-inspired destinations — a setting that reinforces the brand’s Italian roots.
Hand-painted murals and an open kitchen that transform the dining room into a living expression of Italian artistry, allowing guests to see, feel and connect with the craft behind each dish.
Signature Roman pinsa, Neapolitan pizza, fresh-made pasta and daily house-crafted sauces anchor the menu. Joining it is a selection of fresh seafood specialties and traditional meat entrées that reflect the team’s years of culinary refinement in Italy and Arizona.
A polished cocktail and wine program built around premium spirits and thoughtful pairings
Pizzicata expanded its refined, celebratory finish to its dining experience.
The Private Kitchen Bistro and Private Chef Experience operate as one integrated, exclusive dining offering with an intimate, chef-led tasting room and private dinner experience bookable nightly on OpenTable.
This dining experience is a fully customized culinary journey featuring elevated Italian menus, interactive demonstrations, premium seasonal ingredients, and rare behind-the-scenes access that immerses diners in the craft and culture of authentic Italian cooking.
The Seven Fishes Christmas Dinner is Pizzicata’s beloved Christmas Eve tradition that brings the centuries-old Italian celebration of La Vigilia to Arizona through a festive, seafood-driven menu. Reservations are available on OpenTable.
The restaurant features an environment designed with greater intention, movement and emotion that aligns with its mission.
“This restaurant brings together everything we’ve learned since opening our first U.S. location,” Venturini said. “Our goal is simple: we want guests to feel at ease and enjoy a genuine taste of Italy. Every detail — from the murals to the menu — reflects that journey.”
The couple have been on a roll, growing their lineup to include Pizzicata Carefree, Pizzicata Mesa, Pomodoro Italian Grill & Seafood, and now Pizzicata Glendale.
Their big win on “Little Big Italy” —the TV show that hunts for the best Italian food outside Italy — crowned them Arizona’s top spot for authentic Italian cuisine.
Venturini credits the brand’s success to the people who helped build it.
“Many of our team members have grown with us from the beginning. Their passion and belief in our vision made this chapter possible,” he said. “Pizzicata Glendale is a celebration of family, culture, and the dream that brought us from Umbria to Arizona.”
Pizzicata is located 19420 N. 59th Avenue, Suite C117, Glendale, with other locations in Mesa and Carefree. For more information, visit pizzicatausa.com.
Dining and Cooking