Anyone been to Pias in Pinellas county?

[horvath42]

I have heard of this restaurant called Pias in Pinellas county. I would like to know what you think and where it is. If they have an internet site as well.

[dmfnole]

I've been there twice. It's really good and fresh food with a warm environment (both welcoming and can get hot since it's mostly outdoors). A little costly - I remember they charged for water. But the food is worth at least trying

[RibDog]

Are you speaking of bottled water or just regular tap water? Not trying to nit-pick but just curious. Pia's is on my list of places to try.

[joan]

RibDog, we went to Pia's a couple of years ago.
They refused to serve tap water. Said they "didn't have any" (which got a good laugh from us). We had already ordered wine. Only bottled water available to drink.

My DH won't go back, he was so miffed at the lack of value. He ordered pasta with salami I think, and there were only three thin slices of salami in the dish. But it did taste good!

[RibDog]

Thanks Joan. Value is even more important these days. If they don't have good tap water, then put a filter on the line. But to not have ice water for customers is not acceptable to me. That is unless you are in another country where you would not want to drink the tap water.

[kenr]

I totally agree with Joan and her assessment of Pia's. We too haven't gone back in over a year. The food was ample and fine but the water issue turned us off and when the 4 of us ordered a "full" carafe of wine, the amount came only up to the medallian on the thick part of the carafe. Nit picking? maybe but sometimes it's the small things that turn you off from the total dining experience.

[dmfnole]

Thanks Joan for responding. After double-checking with my husband - he confirmed that they didn't serve tap water and that we did have to pay for bottled water. It was a bit of a turn off but the food was good.

[TampaNativeThatLovesNYC]

I have always heard wonderful things about Pia's, I finally got to try it on Valentine's Day, however it was a set menu. I would like to go back for dinner w no set menu. The Valentine's set menu was ok, overpriced but I hear the regular dinner menu is good w good pricing.

[Mild Bill]

I knew it was talked about before, so I clicked 'search this board' and typed Pia's...
This page with 12 conversations popped up--- let's see if this works...

http://www.chow.com/search?search%5Bq...

If not, try what I did with the search...

Good luck... Never been there myself but focused in on it recently for an impending hit...

[joan]

I believe you mean Pia's Trattoria in Gulfport.
A darling of the food critics, to be sure.
I liked the atmosphere - you eat in their backyard under a giant tent.
The food IMO was just okay.
Other chowhounds seem to love it - maybe I will try to talk DH into giving it another try. I really like Elements, another new restaurant on the same street.
Also, Backfin Blue, Peninsula Inn, and the bar called Bellini.
And I almost forgot! Maddy's, which used to be your basic biker bar, has now expanded with a great waterfront porch and delicious food.
Check 'em all out!

[Karin4711]

Great Italian Food

If you have a craving for authentic Italian food this is the place to go.
We stumbled upon Pia's Trattoria a while ago. Since we miss Italian food quite a bit we gave it a try. We were genuienly pleased with it. The atmosphere was welcoming and the servers very friendly.
I really loved the Italian Pironi beer on tap and the Italian background music.

They have by far the best real authentic Italian food I've eaten outside of Italy. I tried the Lasagna and my friend the Ossobuco. For dessert we have a Tiramisu.

It was delicious. I can highly recommend Pia's Trattoria and I am looking forward to eating there again - soon.