Downtown Sherman on the Square has gone through quite a bit of changes over the past few years. This also includes a little bistro opening its doors. La Piazza Ristorante Italiano is a family-owned Italian restaurant located on Crockett Street.
La Piazza boasts a beautiful corner location with a very spacious floor plan, petite bar and energetic staff. When my party and I arrived, were greeted and seated promptly.
As we waited for our server, westartedobservingother diners’ plates and enjoying all the wonderful aromas coming from the kitchen. The restaurant offers a diverse menu featuring homemade pastas, pizzas and a variety of Italian dishes made from scratch.
Their offerings include appetizers like burrata and fried calamari, soups, salads, baked dishes, calzones, strombolis, chicken entrées, pork and veal dishes, seafood and New York-style pizza. They also provide a selection of wines, beers and crafted cocktails to complement the meals.
Our meal started with the fried calamari, and it was fried perfectly and seasoned to match. Then, for our entrees, we had the Frutti De Mare, which was steamed mussels, shrimp, clams and scallops in a spicy marinera sauce, a seafood lover’s paradise.
We also tried the veal Francese, an egg-battered pan-friedvealinalemonwine sauce served over a spaghetti noodle. The veal was tender and moist, and the lemon sauce could have been served in a glass as a cocktail.
Finally, we had the Crawfish Primavera, a dish with black olives, mushrooms and roasted red peppers, all sauteed in a cream sauce over a penne pasta. This dish was velvety and luxurious to every bite.
Even though we were stuffed, we opted to try the desert. We had the limoncello cake. It was light and had a refreshing taste to end the evening.
You can find La Piazza open for lunch and dinner, with operating hours from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays, and until 10:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Therestaurantisclosed on Mondays.
In addition to dine-in services, La Piazza offers catering options for events such as weddings, corporate gatherings and private celebrations. They provide customized menus to bring the rich flavors of Italy to special occasions. La Piazza has quickly become a popular dining destination in Sherman, offering authentic Italian cuisine in a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
Untilyoucanmakeitdown to Sherman, try this recipe at home for that authentic Italian feel.
Penne Arrabbiata Ingredients: 12 oz penne pasta 2 tablespoons of olive oil 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 1-2 teaspoons red pepper flakes, adjust to your spice level 14 oz crushed tomatoes Salt and Pepper, to taste Fresh parsley or basil, chopped, for garnish Grated Parmesan cheese, optional, for serving Bring a large pot of salt water to a boil. Add the penne and cook until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the rest. While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute, don’t let it burn! Stir in the red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds to release the flavors. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and let it simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the cooked penne to the sauce. Toss well to coat, add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce feels too thick. Garnish with chopped parsley or basil and sprinkle with Parmesan ifyoulike.Servehot!Andhere are some fun ways to change it up, add more red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce, or for more flavor, toss in a splash of red wine or a pinch of oregano while the sauce simmers. Enjoy till next time.