Nobody does pizza quite like Italy and now Piotsa is bringing an authentic taste of Italy to Stirling with pizzas that taste just like anything you can get on the streets of Rome.
Brig had the opportunity to attend a preview ahead of the pizzeria’s imminent launch, and we were very impressed.
Perfect Pizzas
At Piotsa, we were able to sample a fresh pizza that is made fresh right in front of you and served mere seconds after leaving the oven.
This freshness, combined with high-quality ingredients and an experienced chef results in a pizza that I struggled to find a fault with.
The dough is light, the toppings naturally flavourful and the crust has that perfect crunch you want from your pizzas.
What impressed me most, however, was how light the pizza was.
After eating a whole pizza, many of us end up feeling so bloated that it hurts to move (although I’d argue that it’s usually worth it) but this wasn’t the case at Piotsa.
After inhaling the whole pizza I felt light and hydrated rather than the usual feeling akin to a human doughball.
The chef and co-owner, Alex, stated that because of the lack of additives in the dough, as well as the use of semi-wholegrain flour.
This also results in the pizzas being significantly healthier than most competitors which is good news for anyone pursuing a health-based New Year’s resolution.
With a planned ten pizza options as well as various specials and options for gluten-free and vegan diners, it seems there will be something for every pizza fan.
Beyond pizzas, I was also able to try a saltimbocca, which is essentially a crunchy Italian panini with mozzarella and Parma ham.
This, too, was light and brimming with flavour for those after something a little smaller than a pizza.
There will also be a variety of sides and desserts available but we were not told what particular items would be on the menu.
A cool yet comfortable atmosphere
As for the restaurant itself, the place is cool and sleek yet inviting.
The classy wooden floors and half-walls that complement lots of exposed brickwork give off a cool and stylish aura while white marble tables confidently stand out.
And yet, the warm colours and open pizza counter make the place feel inviting.
Beyond the main restaurant floor which seats 20, there is also an elevated seating area which seats eight, perfect for larger parties or more intimate engagements.
Piotsa is designed to be fully accessible with an accessible washroom available downstairs while the sleek main bathrooms are upstairs.
Get in on the craft
For those of you who enjoy getting a bit more hands-on with your food and learning something new, then Piotsa may just have the thing for you.
Pizza-making classes with be hosted one morning a week, teaching the people of Stirling how to make a proper Italian-style pizza.
This class is a passion project of Alex’s, can host around a dozen people and allows you to then eat the fruits of your labour so what’s not love?
Piotsa is planning to implement a ten per cent student discount and will be available for takeaway however delivery will not be available at the time of opening.
So, if you want to feel like you’re in Rome without ever leaving King Street, then Piotsa is more than worth a try.
Featured image credit: Elliot Johnston
Features Editor and Head of Podcasting.
Fourth-year Journalism and Politics student.
Primarily focus of Politics, Technology, Gaming and Pop-Culture
