Nozzo Pazzo: Maybe Not So Crazy

Nozzo (pronounced ‘not so’) Pazzo (the Italian word for ‘crazy’) is a new deli semi-adjacent to Italian sister restaurant Pazzo Pomodoro and Pazzo Gelato at the Danor Plaza Shopping Center in Vienna, with Sweet Ginger in between, creating almost a monopoly at that corner of the block. The atmosphere is an eclectic mix of vintage and modern, with elegant and intriguing Venetian masks and nostalgic Italian travel posters adorning the walls.

More than just a deli, they also have a little shop section to browse Italian grocery specialties. Interesting selections include semolina flour black squid ink dried pasta ringlets, jars of pesto with Genovese basil and red pesto with truffle sauce, farro soup mix, Calabrian peperoncino chili oil, balsamic vinegar, and capers in sea salt. They even have Sicilian cannoli and classic tiramisú in a jar. They also sell reds, whites, and sparkling wines by the bottle. “It has this great little market browsing feel that inspires you to pick up products to make at home,” says deli diner Kathleen Drennan.

In the main case, choose from eggplant parmesan, veggie or meat lasagna, and fresh ravioli which changes weekly, and other pasta to reheat at home.

Weekly specials include sandwiches such as the Erlinda sandwich, the name of the wife of Chef Juanito Bonilla, which is crispy ciabatta bread with chicken parmesan, marinara, and caramelized onions, and a generous serving of chicken tortellini soup, which has huge chunks of delicious chicken and tricolor tortellini in a flavorful cream base.

“The Triple Whammy panino was a standout sandwich with high-quality meats, toasted to a perfect crispness and enhanced with an exceptional pesto sauce,” noted deli diner Kathleen. It consisted of Genoa salami, prosciutto, pepperoni, provolone oozing out the sides, and pesto on a buttered baguette.

Hot Italian hoagies include meatball and sausage with peppers. And hot sandwiches include the Philly cheesesteak and the Michelangelo, reminiscent of insalata caprese, with tomato, mozzarella, and pesto on a baguette, and selections such as the Brooklyn with pastrami and Swiss cheese with whole grain mustard on rye, and the Reuben with corned beef, Swiss, Thousand Island dressing, and cole slaw, also on rye bread.

Tintin, the popular French cartoon character hot sandwich lends a flair, a sort of French melt with roast beef, brie, grilled onions, and mayo on a croissant. And truthfully they do have a sandwich named Pinocchio, with prosciutto, Genoa salami, spicy capicola, provolone, and sweet pickles with lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise.

Cold Italian hoagies include character-themed choices such as Topolino, Italian for Mickey Mouse, consisting of Danish ham, spicy capicola, mortadella, provolone, banana peppers, dressing, lettuce, and tomatoes, and Ivani the Terrible, with pepperoni, spicy capicola, porchetta, provolone, banana peppers, dressing lettuce, and tomato, named after General Manager Ivan Boyd. Other cold Italian hoagies include Michelangelo, reminiscent of insalata caprese, with tomato, mozzarella, and pesto on a baguette, and Leonardo, with salami, mozzarella, roasted peppers, basil, extra virgin olive oil on a baguette. They also have a Muffaletta for some New Orleans flavor.

Cold sandwiches include the Popeye, which does include spinach, along with baked Virginia ham, rosemary goat cheese, apple, honey, and arugula on a sub roll. And the Pepé le Pew is a pan bagnat – tuna with mayo, hard-boiled eggs, lettuce and tomato, basil, red onion, capers, olives and extra virgin olive oil bathed in a baguette with optional anchovy. The focaccia club has triple smoked bacon, bleu cheese, mushrooms, extra virgin olive oil, lettuce tomato and mayo on a sub roll.

The menu is an extensive one, including vegan wraps and build-your-own sandwiches. Even the French fries come rosemary or crinkle cut. The Bugs Bunny is grilled cauliflower with parsley, spinach, tomato and vegan pesto, but curiously no carrots.

Don’t forget salads. From Caesar to tuna tartare, to salade Niçoise, and smoked salmon and spinach, they cover a lot of territory.

And if you feel like preparing your meal at home, they offer multiple pastas and potato salad by the pound to go.

The dessert display case is also quite tantalizing. Pastries include limoncello raspberry cake, triple chocolate cheesecake, Monterosa strawberry cheesecake, and Pazzo Baci Sophia Loren, or kisses, which are miniature bite-sized chocolate cups with zabaglione and a raspberry on top. And what a way to end a trip to the local new deli In town.