If you know anything about me, you know that Italian food (more specifically a great slice of pizza) is my favorite food, hands way down.
If you know anything about Town Madison, you know that they haven’t brought any sub-par concepts to this explosively popular community.
And they’re about wow North Alabama yet again with another concept that combines the best Italian food with a trendy atmosphere that is sure to draw crowds from all over the Tennessee Valley.
After months of scrutiny and many watchful eyes on this location, Sa Za is proud to announce that they will officially open to the public on Thursday, November 10th, 2022!
When you make your first visit to Sa Za, I’d suggest working in a few extra minutes to quietly pour through the menu before selecting your dish. Though it features the expected line-up of pizzas, pastas, and more, the item descriptions quickly paint a picture that one’s palette is in for more than expected. With recipes straight from Chef Joe DiMaggio Jr.’s grandmothers’ Italian kitchens, visitors to Sa Za are in for some serious Italian food.
Sa Za, Town Madison’s newest sit-down dining restaurant, is just the second of its kind in the state. The first location is in Montgomery, and those who are familiar with this location have been champing at the bit for the Madison location to fire up the oven.
Chef DiMaggio says that this location will feature never-before-offered menu options that are sure to please.
DiMaggio describes Sa Za as a “minimalistic, peasant Italian restaurant.”
“Peasant dishes are the result of not being able to afford meat, but you still use ingredients that have a big profile and are bursting with flavor.”
DiMaggio, who spent his childhood living half of the year in Italy and the other half in the West Village of Little Italy in New York City, says that 80% of the Madison location’s menu comes straight from the kitchen of his two grandmothers: one from Lake Como and the other from Sicily.
The food menu itself consists of more than a dozen appetizers, eight salads, 20+ pastas and entrees, 14+ pizza options, and more. Pizzas, pastas, and other entrees have a median price of approximately $22 per dish.
“This is very authentic Italian food,” says DiMaggio, as he continues to describe the overall atmosphere of the restaurant as casual.
Sa Za’s facility is two stories with an open-concept dining area, open kitchen, indoor/outdoor open-air bar, upstairs mezzanine (with a secondary bar), and spacious outdoor patio area.
The cool red interior of Sa Za is perfectly suited for an array of original artwork that will soon decorate the walls. DiMaggio is passionate about supporting local artists and is meeting with artists now who he hopes will paint live while guests dine in. Not only will this be an original spectacle for guests to observe, but the paintings will eventually be for sale after spending some time hanging on the restaurant’s walls.
Dimaggio’s passion for local artists stems from his own background as an accomplished artist. He has been painting since he was nine years old and will be featuring his own work on Sa Za’s walls during the opening. In fact, the piece below, entitled “Neptune” was created by DiMaggio just last month out on the outdoor dining patio.
Upon entering Sa Za, guests will be greeted immediately by the sight of the expansive open kitchen on the left. DiMaggio says the open kitchen is very much a part of the restaurant as a whole and the way they operate.
“I want my chefs to see the guests’ faces when they first try their food; They’ll be able to tell right away if someone doesn’t like something.”
To the right of the entrance is a full bar that features both indoor and outdoor seating. The wine list in particular is wide-ranging, as most would expect from an Italian restaurant.
The upstairs mezzanine doubles as additional seating on busy evenings, as well as a private space available to be reserved for exclusive events and groups. The mezzanine features its own set of restrooms and an additional bar.
DiMaggio says there is no dress code and that casual is fine.
“We want people to be comfortable when they come here,” he shares. “We don’t take ourselves seriously, but we take our food seriously.”
Quick Info for Sa Za Italian Restaurant in Madison, Alabama
501 Town Madison Blvd., Suite A, Madison, AL 35758
Monday – Thursday: Lunch from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., dinner from 5 – 10 p.m., and happy hour at the bar at 4 p.m.
Friday: Lunch from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., dinner from 5 p.m. – 11 p.m., and happy hour at the bar at 4 p.m.
Saturday: Dinner from 5 -11 p.m.
Sunday: Brunch from 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. and dinner from 5 – 9 p.m.
