Paisan: Open and Serving Pizza in Berkeley

The duo behind Lalime’s, Sea Salt, T-Rex Barbecue, Fonda, and Jimmy Beans, Haig Krikorian and Cindy Lalime, have just opened PAISAN, a pizzeria on San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley. Look for thin-crust pizzas from the Earthstone wood-fired oven with California toppings (like pesto, rocket salad, Sausalito springs watercress, and Grana Padano, $15.50). The menu is rounded out with rustic Cal-Ital items like eggplant caponata, romano beans, and arancini, and larger dishes, like porchetta, half a roasted chicken (only $11.75), and roast pork belly and pork loin with balsamic onions and plum mostarda. The large 18-seat bar will feature variety of both classic and original cocktails, 10 beers on tap, and a wine list put together by Stephen Singer. According to an SFoodie post, the pizzaiolo is Francesco Pece, from Naples. Additional details: there’s a rear patio and full bar.  Dinner will be served Wed-Sun. 2514 San Pablo Ave. at Dwight, Berkeley; no phone yet.