Owners of DiAnoia's to open Pane è Pronto, a bakery and takeout spot, in Strip District
Pane è Pronto translates to “bread is ready.”
Or in this case, almost ready.
A new Italian takeout, bread and catering kitchen is planning to open by the end of September or beginning of October in Pittsburgh’s Strip District by the owners of DiAnoia’s Eatery and Pizzeria Davide.
Located at 2627 Penn Ave., it will feature homemade breads and ready-made meals such as greens and beans, meatballs, lasagna and chicken parmesan. Salads and pasta will be sold by the pound, along with packaged homemade sauces from several of DiAnoia’s signature dishes, said Aimee DiAndrea, who co-owns the business with husband and chef Dave Anoia.
The couple had leased the space, a half-block away from their primary Strip District location, before the pandemic, Anoia said.
“We had the concept of what we wanted the place to be, and we made some adjustments because of the pandemic,” he said. “We definitely wanted to have homemade bread, but also planned on having sandwiches and grab-and-go lunch items. But we don’t think we will have that foot traffic just yet.”
The couple decided to add take-home dinners in addition to the fresh breads.
“Some items will be hot and ready-to-eat, while other options, such as sauce and pasta, can be purchased and taken home to make later,” DiAndrea said. “We hope to be a neighborhood spot for those who work here and live in the Strip District.”
Both agreed it has been tricky navigating running and opening food businesses during this time. They continue to communicate with customers to determine what they want and need — and that includes comfort foods such as sauce, pasta and bread.
DiAndrea said they plan to offer breads not usually sold in Pittsburgh.
Bread manager Nick Malburg will debut a variety of choices from different regions of Italy, including Calabrian pitta, different styles of focaccia, and ciabatta. He will make sourdough recipes and a selection of pastries. Some of the offerings will be inspired by delis in Long Island where DiAndrea grew up.
Customers will be able to smell the fresh bread the minute they walk through the door, Anoia said. The space has a large kitchen to accommodate the to-go meals made for the other restaurants the couple own.
DiAndrea said they never imagined opening during such a challenging time. But the lease was signed, so they plan to move forward. “We feel fortunate that, with some adaptations, our concept lends itself to the realities of covid-19,” she said.
The couple opened DiAnoia’s Eatery in 2016. In 2019, they opened Pizzeria Davide alongside it, and added a Robinson Township location this summer. A third Pizzeria Davide location is slated to open in Carnegie later this year.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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