Arizona is one of the largest food hub states where new restaurant concepts are lining up all across the Valley, including a new concept coming to an underserved area in Mesa led by a renowned chef.
Osteria Pasta & Pizza is the invention of owner Alec-Lauren Golzio, a Mesa-native and former owner of the Handlebar in Tempe. Golzio teamed up with the brilliance of Chef Tony Snyder to collaborate on something masterly. The owner Golzio stated, “Tony is passionate about passing the love of high quality food onto our customers/friends.”
Snyder earned his culinary art fundamentals being trained by a Sicilian family in his 20s. At 21, he was already running his first restaurant in St. Louis. However, Arizonans know him as the guy who opened Forge Pizzeria at the Biltmore, the chef at Tavern Americana, the first chef for Scottsdale’s Rancho Pinot Grill or most recently as the genius behind Urban Steak at the Scottsdale Princess.
In the past he has always worked with chef owners but at Osteria, Chef Tony Snyder will be the ringleader and master chef in the newly built-out kitchen. “It’s not about cranking out something cheap, he is into everything and getting it right,” said Golzio. The owner expressed how the two of them are like-minded and believes in maintaining high quality and serving local, organic ingredients to their customers.
Senior advisor, Jennifer Hill with SVN | Desert Commercial Advisor, who specializes in landlord and tenant representation found the new restaurant space at The Shoppes at Legacy House, located at 5609 E. McKellips Road in Mesa last year. Hill stated, “When I first met Tony he was chatting with Alec about local meat providers as they are both sensitive to providing local fare.” Chef was first featured on the Food Network at the age of 22 and knows what delights his clients. “I asked Tony why a highly desired, Scottsdale Culinary Institute Graduate with extensive experience would trek to Northeast Mesa after working in some of the most prominent restaurants in Phoenix Metro,” said Hill. Chef replied, “If you handed me money I would make pizza and pasta.” Snyder continued to express that Alec’s concept, Alec herself as a person and the location is what convinced him to make this bold move into a new demographic.
Osteria Pasta & Pizza is destined to become a local favorite for reasons other than just its culinary delights. Alec-Lauren Golzio’s restaurant brand will be recognized by the green olive tree and gold hummingbird. Golzio said, “All of the ladies on my side, my great grandmother my great aunts came straight from Italy.” The symbolism of her restaurant brand is personal and it is her tribute to her family. They always had olive trees and the lavender always attracted the hummingbirds. Golzio is carrying on the family legacy and looks forward to putting out quality food, served with love. Chef Snyder will also offer cooking classes for adults and children at its new location. The massive patio is pet friendly and catering will also be a big part of Osteria. Snyder is not a novice in catering either. You would have most likely had a little piece of his menu if you attended Barrett-Jackson or the Phoenix Open. The new catering menu will provide many options to businesses located nearby. The restaurant is slated to open towards the end of January/beginning February 2018.
