"Grandma's recipes and a five-hour Bolognese in a historic downtown room — book SaZa for Montgomery's most heartfelt plate of pasta."
About SaZa Serious Italian
SaZa takes its name from a grandfather's refrain — roughly, let's go get a slice — and chef-owner Joe DiMaggio Jr. means it: he says about four-fifths of the menu comes from his grandmother's recipes, the cooking of an Italian-American childhood split between Italy and New York. He calls it extreme peasant Italian, and he has been turning it out in downtown Montgomery since 2009.
It sits among the city's better tables. Compare the Italian room Ravello Ristorante, the upscale Southern Central and the long-running Vintage Year, or browse the wider Italian picks.
The Kitchen
The kitchen cooks from the family book. The signature is the rigatoni Bolognese — a sauce of veal, beef, pork, cognac and soffritto roasted for about five hours and finished with cream — alongside lobster ravioli, lasagna Bolognese, eggs in purgatory and Grandma's spaghettini and meatball. San Marzano tomatoes and an open kitchen do the rest; this is generous, homestyle cooking rather than fine-dining restraint.
It is fair value: pastas run roughly $18 to 33 and most diners spend around $30 to 45 a head, more with the seafood pastas and wine.
The Room
The room is a converted historic Commerce Street building — exposed brick, original hardwood floors and an open kitchen that keeps the place buzzing. Service is warm and unfussy, suited to a relaxed dinner rather than a hushed occasion. The mood is lively and downtown, a neighbourhood Italian with energy rather than a white-tablecloth dining room.
Not for
Not for diners after a quiet, refined tasting menu or delicate plating — this is generous, homestyle Italian-American cooking in a lively open-kitchen room built for sharing.
Frequently Asked
What is SaZa Serious Italian known for?
Chef-owner Joe DiMaggio Jr.'s family-recipe Italian cooking in downtown Montgomery, which he calls extreme peasant Italian; the signature is a rigatoni Bolognese with a sauce roasted for about five hours.
What should I order at SaZa?
The rigatoni Bolognese is the signature; other favourites include the lobster ravioli, lasagna Bolognese and Grandma's spaghettini and meatball.
How much does SaZa cost?
It is fair value: pastas run roughly $18 to 33 and most diners spend around $30 to 45 a head, more with seafood pastas and wine.
Where is SaZa Serious Italian?
At 130 Commerce Street in downtown Montgomery's historic district, in a converted historic building with an open kitchen.
When did SaZa open?
The downtown Montgomery restaurant opened in 2009 and is the original SaZa location; chef-owner Joe DiMaggio Jr. has run it ever since.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at SaZa Serious Italian
Book via OpenTable or by phone; weekend evenings downtown fill up.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Address130 Commerce St, Suite 101, Montgomery, AL 36104
NeighbourhoodOn Commerce Street in downtown Montgomery's historic district
CuisineItalian
PriceA la carte pastas roughly $18–33; most diners spend around $30–45 a head
Dress CodeCasual
SeatingHistoric downtown room with an open kitchen; booking advised at weekends
ReservationBooking advised, especially at weekends
