Photos by Ed Williams
Pizzeria Vetri couldn’t have landed a more perfect slice of real estate within Devon Yard’s six-acre Lifestyle Center. During pandemic closures, Urban Outfitters set aside some space in Restaurant Amis for a PV pop-up. That venture has since become permanent under executive chef John Sidoti, a South Jersey native who curates the focused menu for all three locations, with a fourth coming soon in King of Prussia.
Sidoti gained kitchen experience working as a line chef at Osteria in Center City, joining the Philadelphia-based Pizzeria Vetri group soon thereafter. His energy and passion for the business are immediately evident. “Losing my dad early in life gave me a sense that life is short,” he says. “Don’t be angry, do what you love, and do it well.”
“Do it well” is a PV mantra. The pizza dough is key, with its four-ingredient/four-day Neapolitan process. “Allowing the dough to ferment for that fourth day gives it that perfect tang while maintaining a level of workability,” says Sidoti.
All ingredients are fresh—Sidoti refuses to house freezers in any PV location. Our tasty seasonal pie featured chunks of sweet butternut squash, truffle pâte, Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, and ripped sage. The Maurizio is a simple combination of rosemary, mozzarella, olive oil and sea salt. The signature spinach has onions, roasted garlic, mozzarella, creamy ricotta fonduta, parmesan and chili flakes.
Sauces are made on site, and several of the cheeses are from Di Bruno Bros. A 650-degree wood-fired oven gives pies their dappled look and crisp texture. Each is custom-made and served tableside piping hot.
PV presents itself as fast casual and unpretentious. Its zen-like space fits perfectly with the Devon Yard ambience. Greenery, large windows and natural light abound, and a cozy alfresco area is perfect for warmer months. “It’s great to see families shopping at Devon Yard light up when they see a place that offers pizza,” says Sodoti, who has two young ones of his own at home.
And it’s not just a pizza place. The menu also features pork-stuffed meatballs topped with marinara and freshly grated parmesan, an amazing prosciutto-and-burrata board, and golden beets blended with robiola cheese, pistachio and parsley (in season). And don’t leave without trying the tiramisu or a pistachio-encrusted cannoli with a La Colombe Nizza espresso.
Fun cocktails include the Gintermission (Condeso Clasica Gin, Campari, candied orange and lime juice) and the Smoked Cherry Old Fashioned. You’ll also find a selection of canned and bottled beer, wine by the glass and bottle, and Aperol, Orangecello and Limoncello spritzes.
For the take-home crowd, pepperoni and margherita pizza kits include a dough ball and all the fixings. Plus, look for a new Pizzeria Vetri location in King of Prussia Town Center this February.
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