Tavolino Pizzeria in Old Algiers Throws Open its Doors

Tavolino, the new pizzeria in Old Algiers (across from the ferry landing) with “room for the stroller crowd” and a “back bar lounge for date night without the kids,” opened this week, reports Ian McNulty. It occupies the spot that was formerly Vine & Dine. Suzanne Accorsi (who runs Pal’s Lounge in Faubourg St. John and Martine’s Lounge in Old Metairie) and and Hillary Hanning (formerly a manager at Mondo) are behind the project.

Expect pizzas with “cracker crisp” thin crust with toppings that expand beyond the conventional (white truffle oil and fontina sauce lace the mushroom pizza, for example), as well as a specialty known as ping. McNulty reports that,

“The ping recipe handed down to Accorsi sounds like the makings for meatballs, with a mix of ground pork and beef, garlic, parmesan and egg. At Tavolino, Accorsi stuffs it into green Castelvetrano olives that burst with juice under thin fried shells.”

Also look for cheese and salumi plates, chicken liver pâté, arancini, a rotating daiquiri selection (always called the “ferry companion”), and pistachio cheese cake at this “mid-range eatery with a modern-rustic style, an expanded patio outside and character worked into every corner.” [ADVOCATE]