Piero's Pizza Vino Opens Doors On El Paseo

Just one week into its opening, Piero's Pizza Vino on El Paseo in Palm Desert is already packing a full house.

Piero Pierattoni, who also owns across the street, opened the upscale pizzeria on Dec. 26 for dinner. He plans to open for lunch starting on Monday.

"I think both places are getting stronger instead of weaker," Pierattoni said. "I’m not stealing customers form Mamma Gina's."

Ruth Ann Moore, Palm Desert's economic development manager, said she can't wait to try out the place.

"I always love to see dining coming to the street," Moore told Patch.

The restaurant features a wood-stove oven that Pierattoni imported from Naples, Italy that cooks the pizza in under two minutes, which is the way Italian pizza is supposed to be made, he said.

"It’s all about balance," Pierattoni said, adding that he also imported a special dough mixer. In all, he invested about $25,000 into the kitchen, which was bustling just 15 minutes after its 5 p.m. opening on Wednesday night.

"I’m bringing back what has been something the last two to three years ... a nice trendy approach to pizza, bringing the original pizzeria from Italy," Pierattoni said.

His restaurant has a Vera Pizza Napoletana certification, making each bite a taste straight out of the old world.

So far, he has hired 30 employees, with plans to add on at least 10 more as it gains in popularity.

"Amazingly in one week, I had people come in at least two or three times," Pierattoni said.

The restaurant serves beer and wine and has an outdoor patio.

The prices are about the same as California Pizza Kitchen, and the atmosphere is more casual than Mamma Ginas. Starting Monday, the hours will span from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. through the week, and it will stay open until 10 p.m. on Saturdays.