Ignite Phoenix at La Piccolo Cucina - May 27th

[YuriArtibise]

These are fun events. In addition to interesting guest speakers, they are a good way to meet interesting people who share many similar interests and ideas with the MoPho crowd. As well it is a great excuse to check new and interesting venues in CenPho .

[YuriArtibise]

This was a great event at a great location. When you are in the neighborhood, be sure to check out Piccola Cucina for lunch or dinner, and see if you can get a moment of Andy's time -- he is a font of knowledge, ideas, opinions, and attitudes not only about the challenges of small business in Phoenix, but also about urban planning, community vitality, philosophy and history, all in a manner that only a transplanted New Yorker can manage

Here's a more thorugh review of the restaruant and the evenings event:

http://www.urbanlifeblog.com/2008/05/ig ... oenix.html

Ignite Phoenix & La Piccola Cucina Mix Company
from Urban Life by Gene Urban

La_piccola_cucina Ignite Phoenix held its monthly meeting at La Piccola Cucina this evening. If you???ve been to an Ignite meeting you know they are always held at interesting venues in the urban areas of Phoenix.

Our host, Andy Pappas, is the proprietor of La Piccola along with his wife Debbie and an incredible crew that delights in delighting.

Andy is a character and a wonderful addition to downtown Phoenix. He???s Greek and from New York. That is probably all I need to say, but there is more to this man than simple characterizations.

As you would expect, he is passionate and not afraid to show it. He delivered a talk to the group that was a mix of history, philosophy, and sociology. The theme was urban living and the problems of opening a small business in downtown Phoenix.

As we have heard so often before, the City of Phoenix is not pro small business. He told the story of working/fighting with the City and how it took over a year to get though the red tape necessary to open his small restaurant.

The story moved to the art of living in an urban environment. This was both fascinating and eye-opening. Andy says that our problem is that we don???t understand what it means to develop and live in a city. We are still too commuter oriented, whereas in a thriving urban environment people live, play, laugh and mingle in the same geographic area.

Before and after the talk we dined on some of La Piccola???s Mediterranean epicurean delights, and drank a bit of wine. The only regret is that we didn???t get to try his tempting deserts coffees, or the numerous flavors of gelato offered. A good reason to go back though.

Give La Piccola Cucina a try next time you are wondering where to go for a meal, desert or a good cappuccino, you be better for the experience.

La Piccola Cucina
2241 N. 7th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85006
(480) 203-3421
food, wine, coffee and free wifi.

[Na]

Sorry I missed that event. How very cool and NEEDED! I will keep my eye open for a future event. THANKS!

Na

[PixelPixie]

I have eaten at La Piccolo Cucina twice since he opened and have to say that his straight attitude and atmosphere was probably the closest that (in my experience) Phoenix has ever come to a local Brooklyn/Queens proprietor that I have ever seen. I have yet to find that KILLER DISH that I will return for. I suppose I will have to try them all

[YuriArtibise]

Agreed about the menu, solid,and affordable, but no killer dishes, although the gelato is pretty darn good as well. However, for me it's the owner that keeps me coming back -- if you have the opportunity, come by during non peak hours and ask Andy to tell you his thoughts on downtown (re)development and City Hall.