
Scottsdale is soon to be home to Patricia's Pizza, a new eatery from restaurateur Melissa Maggiore Meyer, who is keeping her father Tomaso Maggiore's culinary flame alive. Opening this October at The Summit shopping center in far north Scottsdale, Patricia's Pizza promises a touch of nostalgia rolled into Sicilian and Neapolitan pizzas, as per Phoenix New Times. Maggiore Meyer is not just reflecting on her New York childhood memories, but also showcasing her mother Patricia's influence on the family's restaurant history, her mother the backbone behind numerous culinary ventures, not least The Italian Daughter, which commemorated Melissa's father after his passing in 2021.
Melissa, whose brother Joey is also a prominent figure in the Valley's hospitality industry, has outfitted Patricia's with a deck and wood-burning brick oven, aiming to serve delectable cuisine in a venue that blends the old and new—a sliver of her past and her present, where she often relished Sicilian pizza post-ballet practice, said Melissa to Phoenix New Times. Yet the absence of her father's original recipe leaves Maggiore Meyer hoping to do his legacy justice, the restaurateur expressing her only regret. The menu also includes lasagna, a tableside cacio e pepe, and for the thirsty, a range of boozy milkshakes and Italian wines.
Simultaneously, The Italian Daughter, Melissa's tribute restaurant to her father, celebrates its third anniversary, solidifying the Maggiore culinary heritage in the region while elegantly carving out Maggiore Meyer's unique imprint on the Valley's gastronomic map. "When you enter the room, I want you to feel the passion, the love, and the legacy that I'm trying to continue in my father’s name," Melissa remarked in a celebration of the establishment's milestone as quoted by Fox 10 Phoenix. The balance between tradition and innovation is palpable not just in the menu items, which are steeped in familial history, but also in the perseverance and adaption required in the wake of her father's death amidst a global pandemic.
Maggiore Meyer's fortitude through the illness, the death of her father, and the COVID-19 onslaught while opening a restaurant is nothing short of inspiring, a testament to her commitment, and a glowing tribute to her father's legacy. Looking to the future, Melissa remains thankful for the bonds forged during those turbulent times and is optimistic for what lies ahead, as reported by Fox 10 Phoenix. The Italian Daughter is a testament to family, perseverance, and authentic Italian hospitality, making it a mainstay in North Scottsdale's dining scene from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly.