Restaurant Reivew
Picazzos Organic Italian Kitchen
Sedona is home to Picazzo's Organic Italian Kitchen, a chain of gluten-free Italian restaurants with several locations throughout both Southern and Northern Arizona.
This particular location is conveniently located along Hwy 89a, nearby many of the city's beautiful hiking trails, making it a great place to refuel after a long day of fitness. The extensive allergy friendly menu combined with a cozy outdoor patio make Picazzo's the perfect casual option for the active, health conscious Sedona traveler.
Food
Get ready for an enormous menu of gluten-free versions of traditional Italian wheat based dishes. Picazzo's goes beyond simply offering GF replacement noodles. You will find nothing is missing on this menu: ravioli, lasagna, gnocchi, breadsticks, garlic bread, pizza, and more can be enjoyed by the GF diner.
Vegetarians and vegans are in luck too as most of the dishes can be modified to suit either diet. They carry Daiya vegan cheese so you can order cheesy garlic bread, pizza, creamy ravioli, and many other delicious dishes. The vegan Sweet Potato Ravioli topped with a luscious Roasted Cauliflower sauce is perhaps one of the best vegan dishes I have tasted at any restaurant. And the garlic cheesy bread served with a side of marinara is the perfect starter.
The homemade focaccia bread (both GF and vegan), served with olive oil is so fluffy and delicious - it's hard to believe there is no gluten.
Lunchtime is a great time to plan your visit as they offer a great combo deal. Here you can order pizza, pasta or soup with salad and a drink for a special price. The Veggie Galore pasta with a Caesar Salad (topped with crunchy GF croutons) was a perfect filling choice after a 4 hour hike.
At Picazzo's, even desserts are on the safe list. From an organic apple cobbler served with coconut ice cream to a cheesecake brownie, you will have no shortage of tempting options to satisfy your sweet tooth - that is if you have enough room left!
The prices are a bit high, however, it is very rare to come across any restaurant, yet alone Italian, with such as extensive menu of GF and vegan choices. Plus the food itself is very good. I am sure any non gluten-free diner will not even be able to tell the difference. The texture of the bread and pasta is amongst the best I've seen in a restaurant with GF offerings.
Do visit during "Healthy Hours" offered daily from 3-6pm. At this time, you can enjoy specialty priced apps and drinks. The hot artichoke spinach dip and cheese bread are both delicious.
Service
Service was decent, fast and moderately friendly. We had one small problem where our waitress forget to bring our drink with our lunch combo. On the bright side, the housemade lemonade was really delicious and refreshing after our long hike.
Atmosphere
The setting at the Sedona location is particularly attractive with comfortable outdoor seating, heat lamps, and a firepit. Sedona's mild weather allows you to enjoy outdoor dining almost anytime of the year. The interior is a bit fancier and more modern than the Flagstaff location. On the downside, this location is much more crowded, leading to a noisier setting.
Final Remarks
Picazzo's is the perfect choice for any Sedona traveler looking for a great gluten-free menu. Vegans will also appreciate the sheer number of options available, as well as the availability to transform traditional cheese based dishes into creamy dairy-free versions.
At Picazzo's, you will never run out of great new options to test out on the 100% gluten-free menu. Now, even those avoiding gluten can finally enjoy a true Italian dining experience complete with appetizers, full salads, a delicious entree, sides, and even dessert!
