Tucson has no shortage of new and existing pizza restaurants. At 3000 E. Broadway, Falora stands out from the crowd with a warm, cozy atmosphere and a creative menu that’s deliciously classic at the same time.
Among the modern exposed brick walls in the restaurant, one of which is dedicated to a floor-to-ceiling cubby-like shelving that houses the wood used to fuel the hand-built Napoli brick oven, two long, family-style tables fill the center of the room. Small tables line the perimeter inside while a few barstools are available to sit and watch the kitchen action. A spacious outdoor patio looks out onto Broadway. Music plays from the help-yourself record player and occasionally, Falora owner, Ari Shapiro, makes his way around to greet and take special requests.
Falora’s menu includes ‘Antipizza’, Salads and Pizza. The Antipizza or the Salads are the best way to start your meal. Both the Kale Salad with Kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes and a tangy-creamy olive oil based dressing and the Butter Pecan Salads are both hearty, full of fresh, locally sourced ingredients and big enough to split or for an entrée. The Piastra, made with spiralized zucchini noodles and tossed in a house-made pesto served with cherry tomatoes and spinach is well-balanced and a must-try.
The pizza, the obvious star of the restaurant, is a perfected Neapolitan-inspired pie made to order with just the right amount of ingredients on top. Highlights include the Giardino and Arrosto. The Giardino has a fresh and vibrant taste, full of vegetables, parmigiana, oregano and chili oil for $14. The Arrosto ($14), with feta, eggplant, potatoes and dates, topped with white truffle oil, just feels special as you take your first bite.
Falora features a rotating seasonal menu. As a part of a partnership with Sleeping Frog Farms, the current items are written on butcher paper outside the door before you enter and the waiters will also describe them to you upon request.
With prices for a pizza ranging from $11-$15, salads from $8-$10, and wines from $5-$9 per glass (beer is $4-$5 per bottle), Falora is an approachable, upscale way to enjoy a truly delicious take on pizza and Italy.
Falora is a must visit restaurant. Recently featured on Eater.com, Falora has carved itself a perfect niche into, not just the pizza market, but the entire restaurant scene in Tucson.
