Pizzeria expands menu beyond traditional pies.
By Kinne Chapin
(Photo courtesy of Pizzeria Orso)
Pizzeria Orso has become a favorite neighborhood spot renowned for its Neapolitan pizza– the Falls Church restaurant’s speciality. But now hungry customers seeking more than just cheese, sauce, and dough can find what they seek at Orso. Chef Will Artley, who took over the kitchen in February, has added a selection of sumptuous small plates to the Pizzeria’s menu. The petite offerings, which are separated into meat, fish, vegetables, and pasta, are sure to sate the palate of even the pickiest gourmand, without straying from the restaurant’s hearty Italian roots.
Artley’s creations range from grilled octopus with white beans and artichokes to papperdelle with milk braised veal and spring vegetables.
When asked about the inspiration behind the menu’s new offerings, Artley explains, “We found a lot of our guests were interested in having more than just pizza for their meal. They wanted a variety of little tastes to complement a pie shared by the table.
Our pizzas aren’t going anywhere, but I wanted to give guests more choices on the menu and add dishes with a strong seasonal component to them.” The small plates are just the first step in the seasonal variation Artley hopes to provide Orso’s guests– he plans to offer daily entree specials in the near future.
Taste buds tingling? Pizzeria Orso is located at 400 South Maple Avenue in Falls Church, VA.
